An important component of CLiF’s flagship Year of the Book program is the Momentum grant, a follow-up year of support designed to help schools sustain enthusiasm around reading and writing once their Year of the Book programming concludes. Momentum provides $1,000 toward activities such as family literacy events, author visits, new books, and other opportunities … Continued
CLiF is excited to announce that eight projects across Vermont and New Hampshire have been selected to receive a Literacy Enrichment Grant for Spring 2025. The Literacy Enrichment Grant is a grant program that offers up to $1,000 in funding for project-oriented or experiential learning opportunities that bring literacy to life. The goals of this … Continued
Despite being one of our smaller grant programs, CLiF’s Spark grant plays an important role in helping our organization maintain and revive connections throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. Available to partners who have received a CLiF grant in the past, Spark provides $500 in funding with the goal of building enthusiasm around literacy activities. Because … Continued
CLiF’s 2025 Two-Sentence Story Contest is now open to young writers in Vermont and New Hampshire, ages 12 and under. This year’s theme is “Love.” Prizes will be awarded to top submissions.
When I was a child, everything about the holidays felt glittery and magical. This was undoubtedly due in large part to the tireless efforts of my mother, who was possibly a Claus in some former life. Each year in the weeks leading up to Christmas, she energetically directed us kids through various festive rituals: baking … Continued
We want to offer special recognition to our bookstore friends that have committed to hosting book drives for CLiF over the holiday season. Each of these stores is a community mainstay, and we are very grateful for our shared commitment to inspiring young readers. Just one more reason to shop small, local and literary this season–and every season!
Here’s a peek behind the scenes at how CLiF selects, orders, organizes, and distributes the many thousands of books we give away to under-resourced children in Vermont and New Hampshire each year.
Nobody inspires kids more than their fellow kids. That’s why we invited some bright young literacy ambassadors to share their perspectives on why reading rocks. Learn what they had to say in our new video, “With CLiF, I Can.“ Our thanks to Raised by Wolves Media for helping us bring this project to fruition! We’d … Continued
Throughout CLiF’s many years of inspiring a love of literacy among Vermont and New Hampshire children, the power and value of books has been central to our mission. Almost every CLiF event includes a book giveaway with a wide range of diverse books on offer, as well as an in-person presentation by an author or … Continued
Straddling the international border line, and the two towns of Derby Line, VT and Stanstead, Quebec, is the Haskell Free Library & Opera House. This unique and charming public library serves both U.S. and Canadian citizens, and was awarded a CLiF grant for the first time in 2024.
Sometimes I do school and community programs. Some of my books feature newcomer kids. But mostly it was because I was friends with Sara Lesley Warner (@saralesleyarnold – Sara’s pen name). Sara’s a kidlit writer and media specialist at Henry Wilson School, Manchester, NH. So it was Sara who invited me to present with her on the … Continued
Twelve public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire are recipients ofthe Rural Library grant awarded by the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). This grant, valuedat over $7,000, provides new library books for the public and school libraries, literacyprogramming events, storytelling sessions, book giveaways and more over the course of the2024-25 school year. “CLiF’s Rural Library grant … Continued
CLiF team / CLiF Spotlight / How You Can Help
If you haven’t yet had the good fortune to meet Jim Comley, one of CLiF’s longest serving volunteers, now’s your chance! Q. How long have you volunteered at CLiF, and how did you find your way to CLiF’s doors? Going on 15 years; I started in the fall of 2009; Duncan posted a call for … Continued
When we launched CLiF’s first Two-Sentence Story Contest back in February 2023, we were realistic about our goals and expectations. “Thirty entries would be great,” we agreed. “That would be a success.” The challenge for that inaugural contest was: “Tell us a story about winter.” And, as it turns out, the children of Vermont and … Continued
It’s an exciting time at CLiF, as we recently selected the 12 public elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire that will receive our flagship Year of the Book grant during the 2024-2025 school year. This grant provides each school with up to $25,000 in literacy resources, including in-person visits from professional authors and illustrators; … Continued
General / Writing / Literacy Activities
CLiF’s 2024 Two-Sentence Writing Contest is underway! This year’s theme is “Tell Us a Two-Sentence Story That Takes Place in the Sky.” Free to enter, and open to all Vermont and New Hampshire kids 12 and under. Prizes will be awarded to top entries. Submissions must be received by March 29.
I recently had the pleasure of witnessing literacy and dance come together at the Integrated Arts Academy (IAA) in Burlington, VT, where students performed dances they choreographed with Rose Bedard as part of a teaching artist residency sponsored by the Vermont Arts Council and CLiF’s Year of the Book grant.
CLiF is incredibly fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers whose behind-the-scenes efforts boost our organization’s efficiency and function immeasurably. We recently sat down with Trevor Luce, the tech guru who generously serves as CLiF’s entire IT department, to ask him a few questions about his background with the organization, and what motivates him to volunteer.
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.