Year of the Book / CLiF Spotlight / Education
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The holidays are a time of giving and you can give a special gift to a child by purchasing a book at a participating book store. Each year, independent booksellers across Vermont and New Hampshire collect new books for the low-income, at-risk, and rural kids (12 and under) whom CLiF serves. You can help spread … Continued
On Giving Tuesday, our generous donors helped us raise over $4,000 to support writing workshops in Manchester, NH and Highgate, VT as part of our Year of the Book grant program. One of the goals of the Year of the Book program is to increase enthusiasm for reading and writing and encourage kids to do … Continued
It’s Giving Tuesday, a day to give back to causes you care about. Your donations to CLiF will be matched today (up to $10,000 total)! Double the impact you make on a child’s life. This Giving Tuesday, we’re trying to raise $20,000 to support multi-day writing workshops for low-income, at-risk, and rural kids (12 and … Continued
Writing is an essential skill for children’s success in school and beyond. It helps kids express themselves and process their emotions, develop necessary communication and comprehension skills, and use their imaginations. It can also be a great way to tell family stories and connect to others in their communities. CLiF’s $25,000 Year of the Book … Continued
As adults, it can seem as though discussions about climate change are ubiquitous, yet it is not a given that children will always receive a reliable education about it in their formal schooling. Indeed, as one of the prevalent concerns of contemporary times, it is vital parents take responsibility for broaching the issue early on. … Continued
General / Book Club for Grown-ups
When: Friday, November 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. EST Where: Anywhere! (via Zoom) Register here. Join us this month for a virtual Young Adult (YA) Night with author Meg Kearney (pictured above), author/librarian Erin Moulton, writer/educator Beth Little, and librarian Yahira Vallario. Open to all ages. The panel will discuss the genre, trends, book recommendations, … Continued
General / Research / Education
CLiF celebrated eleven wins this fall – we kicked off all of our Year of the Book partnerships with in-person events! As we have navigated another fall of closures, shortages, and sickness, we have also succeeded in so many ways. Here are some articles and research pertinent to literacy work in our ever-evolving world. Thank … Continued
Every other year, CLiF offers its Rural LIbrary Conference – a gathering for Vermont and New Hampshire librarians to learn from each other and to gain practical advice on programming, collection developments, grant writing, policy creation, outreach, and more. This year, CLiF will move to a virtual format. This three-day event, held November 30 – … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.