General / Book Recommendations

Summer Book Recommendations

This weird school year is almost over, which means one thing…summer reading! Sure, school-required reading lists can seem like just another thing to do, but make sure to take time to read what you enjoy – and let your kids do the same! One of my favorite things about summer is posting up in a … Continued

General

Give Books to Kids This Summer

It’s never been more important for all kids to have access to books. Kids who are not reading this summer could lose valuable literacy skills. With many schools, summer programs, and libraries closed or virtual, many children (especially low-income children) don’t have access to reading materials. They are at risk of falling behind in literacy, … Continued

General

Summer’s Here – Break out the Books!

Summer is finally here and it’s time to open a book and enjoy the sunshine! While your child(ren) may have a school-required reading list, it’s also important to encourage them to read what they want. The National Summer Learning Association reports that kids not engaging in educational activities during the summer can lose important gains … Continued

General / Writing

Teaching Kids How to Unleash Their Creative Writing Genius

When they’re given the freedom to create, children are some of the most imaginatively creative and free thinkers. Nurturing that creativity is important in order keep it active and to encourage them to continue being creative. And, creative story writing is a great way for them to exercise their imaginations and explore the reaches of … Continued

Book Recommendations

The Next Great Book: Summer Reading, Part One

We recently held a book review event for our children’s librarians. We had a panel of four reviewers and talked about new fiction for middle grades through high school. As I was creating the list of books I wanted to review I realized with no small amount of shock that I had a long list … Continued

If you're a parent and...

If you’re a parent and…you’ve got a slugger

Well, maybe not a “slugger.” More like a clunker. His pitching is anything but fast, his tiny hands can barely close his glove, let alone catch with it, and he usually forgets to run the bases when his bat finally makes contact with the ball. No matter. It’s baseball season, and my son is itching … Continued

General / CLiF Spotlight / How You Can Help

Share your favorite summer book!

Remember the book you read one summer? You never forgot how it made you feel. Maybe you shared it with your own children. Since May we’ve been keeping a list collecting your favorite summer reads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yu9ulw3YYs&w=400&h=300&rel=0 Now, for just $5 per book, you can share your favorite with a child served through CLiF’s Summer Readers programs. CLiF will serve 3,700 … Continued

General / CLiF Spotlight

CLiF Spotlight: Back to Camp!

On June 25 I donned shorts and flip-flops and traveled to Bethlehem, NH to visit Copper Cannon Camp (CCC) located on 128 acres adjacent to the White Mountain National Forest.

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General / CLiF Spotlight / Book Recommendations

CLiF Spotlight: What makes a great summer book?

We’re starting to think about summer. Specifically: favorite summer books. Recently, this conversation sparked a debate among CLiF’s voracious readers: What makes a book a great summer book? Is it a picture book, like Blueberries for Sal, that captures the long, hot days of the season? Is it a classic book you associate with read-alouds and campfires, like Treasure Island? Is … Continued

General / CLiF Spotlight

Summer Readers Underway!

48 different children’s summer programs across Vermont and New Hampshire. 3,300 kids. Two free books per child. That’s a lot of books. No wonder the CLiFmobile just needed its shocks replaced. Rec program at the Barre Municipal Pool in Barre, VT From June through August, CLiF’s Summer Readers program visits lunch programs, low-income summer camps, and … Continued

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General

Last Day of School!

Nine months ago I sent my newly minted kindergartener off to school with a fresh set of markers, perfectly pointy crayons, a brand new clean lunchbox, and an excitement to be a part of something bigger, a community of kids with their own job and a place to do it. She was nervous and thrilled. And … Continued

CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.

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