Back to the Books
Have a Happy Back to School! Original Artwork by Grace Ahmed
What’s New
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
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
Mothers and Kids: Togetherness
At CLiF, much of our work occurs behind the scenes. We spend many hours scheduling events, organizing logistics, communicating with coordinators who are on the ground in various communities throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. While we love what we do, nothing compares to hanging up the phone, logging off our email, and stepping out from … Continued
Spread the Word: CLiF is seeking a summer intern
The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is looking for an energetic, intelligent, and motivated Summer Intern. This individual will receive an in-depth introduction to how a busy and productive non-profit is run. CLiF seeks an intern with a strong interest in literacy and children to work in the Waterbury Center office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays … Continued
If you’re a parent and … your child wants to see the world
I came home from my term abroad with rolls and rolls of undeveloped film. The excitement of seeing the real photos months later inspired me to document my adventures in scrapbooks. I very rarely looked at the books again…until my daughter’s increasing reading habit prompted the albums’ resurgence (for better or worse). Two books triggered her interest in my … Continued
Sustaining Momentum through Creativity
What do skiing, books, and microcontrollers all have in common? The CLiF Community Literacy Conference, of course! In all honesty, the skiing was only a background as attendees sat slopeside in the conference room at The Mountain Club on Loon. While the spring skiers glided past the window, teachers, principals, librarians, and other eager past, … Continued
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
Remembering Mary Jane (MJ) Manahan — Longtime CLiF Advisor
Everyone at CLiF was saddened to learn that longtime CLiF Advisor Mary Jane (MJ) Manahan passed away earlier this month at 61.
General / Book Recommendations / If you're a parent and...
If you’re a parent and… you’re planning a book-themed birthday party
In February, my family took my six-year-old to a Friend-a-Versary at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. For the younger set, this is a dream come true – a day of face painting, tattoos, open spaces with kids running everywhere, a visit with Elephant and Piggie and free E&P books (donated by CLiF partners … Continued