The leaves are starting to turn, the air is growing brisker, and the pumpkin spice is running rampant. Fall is officially here, bringing with it a slew of seasonal literacy activities you can do with your child! As kids settle back into their school day routines, it’s a great time to instill an appreciation for reading and writing that extends beyond the classroom setting.
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, the perfect time to take your child to sign up for their first library card! In today’s fast-paced digital age, where information is just a click away, it can be too easy for some to overlook the timeless appeal of the library. However, libraries remain an invaluable resource for cultivating a love of reading and learning, especially among children. The simple act of acquiring a library card opens the door to endless possibilities for a child, while establishing the groundwork for a lifelong relationship with an institution where everyone is welcome.
The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is looking for a part-time finance coordinator to join our team! Perks include flexible hours, friendly co-workers, a brand-new office space with plenty of parking, bottomless mugs of Nespresso coffee, being part of an organization with an undeniably great mission, and much more!
General / Book Recommendations
At the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), we’re big believers in encouraging kids to choose their own books, but we also recognize that a little guidance can be helpful. With that in mind, we asked some bookish pals to recommend some of their favorite books for readers aged 8 to 12. Here’s what they said.
General / Book Recommendations
Two weeks ago, my 9-year-old daughter watched our beloved hometown of Montpelier, VT go from an idyllic downtown to a mess of ruined homes, businesses, apartments, and office buildings. We’ve witnessed a lot of destruction as well as people coming together to support each other, fundraise, and rebuild. I cannot emphasize these messages of resilience enough as we think and talk about the flood. And yet, I must say it’s a very, very sad scene.
CLiF sends out a print newsletter twice a year, sharing stories from our programs, news from our partners and presenters, our map representing the sites we serve, and of course, lots of pictures from our events! If you don’t currently receive our print newsletter, and would like to, please send us an email!
Picture this: A young girl crosses her arms and scowls when things don’t go her way. She’s mad because she can’t control what’s happening in her life. In another scenario, a little boy hides, throws his toys, and cries when he is sad. These sound like everyday situations–and they are–but when children arrive at school holding on to big feelings like these, it makes learning and socializing difficult.
The CLiF team recently met to discuss the pool of applicants for our 2023-2023 Rural Library grant, and to select this year’s recipients. This grant is designed to help small-town libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire create excitement around reading, increase circulation, and strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.
Even though school’s still in session, CLiF’s summer programming is already well underway! Last month, CLiF presenter Simon Brooks kicked off the first event of the summer season, hosting a storytelling session and book giveaway at the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families’ Foster Care Block Party.
Here at CLiF, we’re all about building community. You’ll hear this phrase throughout our various channels and in reference to our many, many partners across Vermont and New Hampshire. Our work ultimately aims to build a culture of literacy within a local community, and one grant in particular targets this goal: the Community Building Grant.
Having given CLiF Executive Director Laura Rice a little time to settle into her new role, we decided it was time to get to know her better! So, we peppered her with questions, and she humored us by provided insightful answers that illustrate some of the many reasons we are thrilled to have her as CLiF’s new leader.
In honor of founding Executive Director Duncan McDougall’s final day at CLiF, we are republishing the letter he penned for our 2022-2023 Winter Newsletter, graciously–as always–extending his thanks to the many friends and supporters of the organization he created. Today it is our turn to extend our sincere gratitude to Duncan for his dedicated leadership of CLiF over the last 25 years.
Award-winning author/illustrator and CLiF presenter Jason Chin has a special video message for the more than 700 young writers who entered CLiF’s debut Two-Sentence Winter Writing Contest.
Meet CLiF’s new executive director, Laura Rice and take a tour of the organization’s new headquarters, opening later this month.
Free professional development? The chance to network with colleagues and book lovers across Vermont and New Hampshire? Yes please! It’s all there in the upcoming CLiF Community Literacy Conference.
Dates: March 15, 22, and 29 (3-4:30PM EST)
They say everybody has a story. Research an entire community, and you’re bound to harvest a bushel basket of unforgettable tales.
When I was young, all I wanted to do was read and write (those two things are still pretty much at the top of my list). I was one of those kids who always had a book open—on the playground, at lunch, in line for anything. I loved writing poems and stories like I saw in my beloved books. Sometimes this caused other kids to tease me, but I could always get away by immersing myself in stories, whose characters I sometimes identified with more than the other kids in school.
CLiF is pleased to announce our 2023 Winter Writing Contest, open to kids 12 and under who live in Vermont or New Hampshire. The challenge: In exactly TWO SENTENCES, tell us a story about winter. Entries must be submitted by email or postmarked by Feb. 28. Read on for more details.
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.