Little Patakha Promotes Diversity, Inclusion
Akshata Nayak is the Vermont-based entrepreneur, scientist and mom behind Little Patakha, a new company focused on promoting diversity and inclusion through interactive children’s media.
What’s New
A Series of Unlucky Protagonists
After much research, our CLiF team of experts has determined that one of the best methods of distracting oneself from irrational fears is by reading to or with a child. In honor of Friday the 13th, a day historically linked with unluckiness, we’ve rounded up a selection of books with protagonists prone to misfortune and misadventure.
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day at Your Local Bookshop!
This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, an annual one-day party held at bookstores nationwide the last Saturday in April. It’s always a great day to drop by your local bookshop, as many stores plan fun events such as author talks, book signings, storytelling sessions, giveaways and more! At the Children’s Literacy Foundation, we are huge … Continued
An Earth Day Reading List
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” While there are countless actions to consider in the fight against the climate crisis, arguably one of the best planetary investments we can make is prioritizing climate and environmental literacy. It’s never too early for children to start learning how to respect and protect the … Continued
A Bookworm’s Search for Forgotten Stories
From a very young age, I was a bookworm to such an extreme that it was sometimes problematic. I read at the dinner table, despite my parents forbidding it. I read in the car, even though it made me throw up. I read on play dates, not caring that my friends found me boring. My … Continued
General / Research / CLiF Spotlight / Education
Welcome Spring with Insights and Ideas
“A book is like a garden, carried in the pocket.” Thank you to the late author and illustrator Lois Ehlert for her colorful books that remind us spring is coming. To everyone working hard on behalf of our kids: thank you. Thank you for all that you do, despite and because of another year of … Continued
Literacy Activities / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight
Ann Braden, Author
CLiF would like to introduce (or re-introduce) you to Ann Braden of Brattleboro, Vermont. Ann writes middle grade novels about kids standing up for themselves when life gets hard. Her characters discover how to channel their emotions and inner strengths to overcome obstacles and identify allies. We’re thrilled to have Ann leading session two of … Continued
Serving CLiF as an AmeriCorps VISTA
It’s AmeriCorps Week and all of us at the Children’s Literacy Foundation want to recognize the efforts of our AmeriCorps VISTA Danny Giancioppo, who is serving CLiF through August 2022. Today he reflects on his experiences as part of our team. Thank you for all that you do, Danny! For the last six-and-a-half months, I’ve … Continued
Year of the Book / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF’s Community Literacy Conference – March 2022!
Join us for another free virtual event this year, with all the most popular features of our typical in-person conference: training from our presenters, peer-to-peer sharing, updates on CLiF’s research and work, and books! The concepts presented by this talented group will inspire you to try new things, provide ideas that can scale to PK … Continued
Beach Reads for All Ages
Earlier this month, famed forecaster Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his groundhog lair and spotted his shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter weather. Of course, for those of us residing in the northerly regions served by CLiF, our forecast is far grimmer than even Phil could possibly foretell. We have many seasons still to … Continued
Pandemic Parenting: Are the Kids Alright? Am I?
Back in March 2020, when Vermont schools announced they would not reopen before summer break, I felt a combination of panic and optimism. Panic over having my two squabbling children at home together for the foreseeable future (not to mention over the virus about which we knew so little back then), and optimism over how … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight
Liza Woodruff, Author/Illustrator
CLiF would like to introduce (or re-introduce) you to Liza Woodruff of Charlotte, VT. Liza illustrated many books before her book Emerson Barks in 2016; this was the first where she was author AND illustrator. CLiF is so excited Liza wanted to share her newest picture book Once Upon a Winter Day with young readers and … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight
Jo Knowles, Author
Today, CLiF would like to introduce (or re-introduce) you to Jo Knowles of Hartland, VT. We congratulate her on her first picture book, Ear Worm!, as well as her new chapter book for early middle grade readers, Meant To Be. We’re so excited Jo wanted to share her debut picture book Ear Worm! with young readers … Continued
General / Research / Literacy Activities / Education
Find JOY despite another COVID winter
To everyone working hard on behalf of our kids: thank you. Thank you for all that you do, despite and because of another year starting with COVID overlays and challenges. CLiF has open grants – we acknowledge that grant writing might not fit with the current demands on all educators’ time, but the applications are … Continued
Reading (and Writing) in a Pandemic
On a recent trip to the laundromat, I reflected upon how even the most mundane errand requires more of us these days. Once I would have shown up with my dirty clothes and a book to pass the time; now I come armed with added essentials: my mask, hand sanitizer, my vaccine card. The Omicron … Continued
Introducing Sarah Hall, CLiF’s New Communications Manager
CLiF is thrilled to announce our new Communications Manager, Sarah Hall. Sarah joined CLiF in January 2022, and manages press and outreach, including newsletters, social media and our blog. A lifelong bookworm, she studied American Literature at Middlebury College, and earned her master’s degree from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. After grad … Continued
What the CLiF Team is Reading
The CLiF staff is a team of readers and writers dedicated to sharing our passions with children and families. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that when you ask the CLiF team what they’re reading, rarely do you get a short answer. Here are some of the books on our bedside tables. Duncan Why Be … Continued
What I’ve Learned in Five Years at CLiF
After five years and four months, the end of December marks the end of my time as CLiF’s Communications Manager. I’m pursuing my dreams of being a professional writer, going full-time at my other part-time job as a staff writer for my local paper, with two books on the way. It’s time for me to … Continued