Writing is an essential life skill. In our digital world, written communication is more important than ever. Without a doubt, your child’s future education and employment will require some form of writing, whether it’s on tests/exams, essays/papers, or emails, copy, and reports. There’s no doubt that your child will use their writing skills for the … Continued
Living with a mental illness can be tough enough when you’re an adult. As a child, the experience can be filled with uncertainty and confusion. They’re going through the growth and self-discovery that other kids are, with the added challenges of their neuroatypical condition. This is why it is so important that they have the … Continued
Eighth grade was not a good year for me. Along with the usual teenage angst and social awkwardness, I was deeply depressed and anorexic. I spent a week at the Teenage Psychiatric Ward at the Keene State Hospital two-and-a-half hours from home. This was a harrowing experience and deterred me from seeking mental health care … Continued
Research / Literacy Activities / Book Recommendations / Education
Yahoo! Congratulations to all – students, teachers, administrators, parents, librarians, program providers, early educators – for navigating through the school year. While this list barely scratches the surface of those contributing to keeping our children healthy and learning, CLiF recognizes that the shift to summer comes with new challenges and opportunities for the same network … Continued
After a difficult year, kids deserve some fun this summer! Fortunately for New Hampshire and Vermont children, they have CLiF to bring stories to life and give away brand new books to treasure. CLiF’s inspiring storytelling presentations by NH and VT authors, illustrators, and storytellers get kids excited about reading and writing and encourage strong … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
This weird school year is almost over, which means one thing…summer reading! Sure, school-required reading lists can seem like just another thing to do, but make sure to take time to read what you enjoy – and let your kids do the same! One of my favorite things about summer is posting up in a … Continued
The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) has several grant programs currently available to libraries, classrooms, and programs serving low-income, at-risk, and rural kids (ages 12 and under) in New Hampshire and Vermont. Please help spread the word to educators, librarians, and those whom you know who work with youth! CLiF Program Manager Jana Brown says, “During … Continued
One of the special things about CLiF is that we work with 66 of the best children’s, middle grade, and young adult authors in Vermont and New Hampshire. In normal years, we send them to schools, libraries, homeless shelters, prisons, camps, and more spaces where kids and families spend time in NH and VT. They … Continued
This post offers some research and activities for both reflecting on lessons learned this year and thinking about what components have value for the future. FOR EVERYONE Watch Using Books to Engage Young Children to Talk About Race & Justice, Part 1 and Part 2 How to teach with living poets’ work Join VTLIB and … Continued
RESCHEDULED for Friday, June 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ESTStories of My Life (A Memoir)Sign up here Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 30 books, including popular children’s and young adult books such as Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and Jacob Have I Loved. She’s won the National Book Award twice, … Continued
Book Club for Grown-ups / CLiF Spotlight / Education
It’s a busy few weeks at CLiF! During the pandemic, we’ve been offering free virtual programming for kids, families, educators, and the general public. We’ve got some exciting events coming up in the next week and we hope that you, your classroom/program, or family can join us. Illustrating Nature with Author/Illustrator Jason ChinThursday, April 22, … Continued
Friends, it has been a year. A year of remote or hybrid school and work, a year without live events, programming, and activities, and, for many, a year of hardship. It’s also been a tough year for educators and librarians, who have been working hard in an ever-shifting world to ensure kids and families still … Continued
Literacy Activities / Education
For 23 years the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) has supported and inspired young readers and writers and their families in every corner of New Hampshire and Vermont. Here’s a list of free online resources to help entertain and inspire young readers and writers, as well to help adults share books and stories with children. Enjoy! … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to Jon Gailmor of Elmore, VT. Jon has been writing and performing music internationally since 1971. He finds inspiration in family, pets, fighting for equal treatment of all people, sports, Vermont, beautiful places, and current events. Watch a clip of Jon’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series here. Things … Continued
April is National Poetry Month and we’re kicking it off by celebrating the talented young poets who bravely submitted their work to our Kids’ Poetry Contest. We were so impressed with the dozens of submissions we received and are proud to share these students’ work (with their permission)*. Winners and runners up were selected in … Continued
Literacy Activities / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to John Steven Gurney of Brattleboro, VT. John wrote and illustrated the graphic novel series Fuzzy Baseball series and the picture book Dinosaur Train. He has illustrated over 140 chapter books, including the chapter books A to Z Mysteries, the Bailey School Kids, and The Calendar Mysteries series. He has illustrated board games, advertising, posters, puzzles, … Continued
Writing / Book Club for Grown-ups
Friday, April 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. EST Sign up here. Since the fall, we’ve been offering a Book Club for Grown-ups with New Hampshire and Vermont authors who write for kids and adults. It’s a chance for grown-ups to connect with local authors and discuss a good book. We’ve talked to Sarah Stewart Taylor, Rajnii … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to Karen Gross of Bennington, VT and Washington, DC. Karen is an educator and author, writing books for both children (early-childhood through Grade 6) and adults. Her Lady Lucy Series is well-known and has been read to over 3000 children across the globe. Watch a clip of Karen’s presentation from CLiF’s … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.