Books – Food for the Heart
Reading is more than just good for the mind. It’s good for the heart. It’s good for the world.
What’s New
Manchester, NH Refugees Celebrate Literacy with CLiF
By Terry Farish on November 19th, 2015 Tonight I told a story for a CLiF literacy event at the International Institute in Manchester, NH. The International Institute helps refugees to resettle and Amadou Hamady and his staff wrote a grant to support English language literacy. They won the grant and CLiF funded many things including my … Continued
If You’re a Parent and…You Wonder Why Audubon is Cool
I admit that I am one of those adults who enjoys reading middle level and young adult books. I think of it as prep work for recommending books to my second grader or CLiF program attendees. Three of my recent favorite books with teenager main characters have been One Came Home by Amy Timberlake, Okay … Continued
A Tale of Two Authors
Popular children’s book writers, Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming and Each Kindness, and Dav Pilkey, author of the famous Captain Underpants series, each visited Vermont in October, sharing their own childhood challenges, discussing how these challenges helped to shape their own writing, and how their books now aim to support children, each in their … Continued
Reading is Magical
Reading is Magical Original Artwork by Grace Ahmed
Why Writing Matters
When I was in elementary school, I decided that I would be an author when I grew up.
CLiF Rural Libraries Conference: Connecting with Communities
On Friday September 18, CLiF welcomed 102 librarians from 40 New Hampshire towns and 40 Vermont towns to celebrate the back-to-school season at the CLiF Rural Libraries Conference. We asked nine panelists to share their knowledge and lead open question and answer sessions on the topics of Expanding Your Collection, Connecting with Younger Patrons, and … Continued
The Delivery Boy
By Simon Brooks As a storyteller I travel to many different schools and colleges, libraries, birthday parties, summer camps, business retreats, and private events. As a result I see a great many people from all walks of life, especially younger people. I have seen and performed for both the rich and economically challenged and learned … Continued
Back to the Books
Have a Happy Back to School! Original Artwork by Grace Ahmed
Broaching through Books
By Caroline Jones This past Sunday, I was driving back from Maine and passing the time in traffic with the wonderful podcast “This American Life”. One of the episodes, “The Birds & The Bees”, explored the complexities of explaining all kinds of difficult issues to young children. W. Kamau Bell, a comedian and father, was … Continued
Last Rays of Summer Reading
Enjoy those last rays. Happy Reading! Original Artwork by Grace Ahmed
Mr. Tim’s Bike
By Caroline Jones Let me begin by saying that “Mr. Tim’s Bike” sounds like an awesome children’s book, and someone should get started on writing it right now. We can talk later about splitting the profits. So here’s the deal: Mr. Tim is a para-educator at J. J. Flynn Elementary School in Burlington, and I … Continued
If you’re a parent and…your child has no imaginary friend
Like countless other children, my son recently saw the acclaimed new Disney Pixar movie, Inside Out. And like countless other parents, I quietly wept through just about the entire movie. Among the many striking moments, characters, and messages in the film was one specific creature who got me thinking – Bing Bong, the since-forgotten imaginary … Continued
Cure for Jet Lag
By Caroline Jones Someone once told me that the best way to cure jet lag is to spend a day surrounded by high-energy children, bumping around the state of Vermont from one CLiF event to the next like a pinball whose internal clock is seven hours ahead. I’m not sure how medically sound that advice … Continued
If you’re a parent and…conversations start with “what if?”
My seven-year-old daughter recently attended a two-hour day camp with a River Wildlife theme for a week. Wildlife on The River – the St. Lawrence River – includes fish, osprey, frogs, otters, and herons (the five themes for five camp days). So I was perplexed when I picked her up on frog day, and she showed … Continued
Growing up CLiF
By Caroline Jones, CLiF’s Summer Intern I know what you’re thinking: “Who is that budding reader and aspiring politician in the blue dress in the front row? Why is she in this group of small children holding books with pre-scream Governor Dean in this painfully ‘90’s photo?” Fear not, faithful readers. ‘Tis I, Caroline, CLiF’s … Continued
Books Abroad
Embarking for a recent family vacation, I knew that books would be an important ingredient for the first international trip with my nine-month-old daughter, Nora. Six flights and countless retellings of The Pout-Pout Fish later, I was grateful for the durability of the humble board book. What I didn’t count on, however, was that books … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
The Next Great Book: Summer Reading, Part Two
Last week I shared with you my new favorite indulgence – historical fiction! I gave you my top six recommendations, but they are far from the only good ones out there. On my bedside table, more historical fiction eagerly awaits: The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (a companion novel to The Evolution … Continued