2020 Youth Media Awards Honor Diverse Picture Books

Among the winners and honorees of this year’s Youth Media Awards are a number of outstanding picture books featuring diverse children and communities.  Touching on gratitude and generosity, immigration and identity, friendship and family, here are some of my favorites. 

Holiday Book Collection

We believe high-quality books are an integral part of early literacy education. With the holidays around the corner, winter break offers a great opportunity to spend extra time with your kids reading amazing books. Whether you are shopping for a gift, or cozying up together for the holiday…

Native American Heritage Month Book List

Children’s Literacy Initiative celebrates Native American Heritage Month with great books! Honor the traditions, artistry, activism, and everyday lives of Native peoples with these high-quality read alouds by Indigenous authors and illustrators.

Transforming Early Education Together

Phillips 66 and Children’s Literacy Initiative Collaborate to Improve Pre-K Education in New Jersey Schools

CLI Welcomes New National Board Members

Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to improve early literacy instruction, recently announced the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Henri Crockett and Sandra Louk LaFleur.

The Read – November 2019

CLI’s quarterly e-newsletter provides updates on CLI’s work with students and educators, inspiring stories from Literacy Champions in the communities they serve, and book recommendations to promote early literacy in school and at home.

Team Spotlight – Francesca Cerabino

Today, our Team Spotlight series highlights our Philadelphia Regional Manager, Francesca Cerabino. Francesca works every day to make a difference in the lives of teachers and students across the region. We sat down with Francesca to learn more about her experience at CLI and what motivates her.

Hispanic Heritage Month Book List

During National Hispanic Heritage Month CLI is proud to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and languages of Latinx communities in the US. 

Back-to-School Tips

As the summer comes to a close, students, parents, and teachers are gearing up for a brand new school year; and some have already started. A new school year can be a time of great excitement and even some anxiety. With this in mind, we have put together…

Back-to-School Reading List

Whether you’re looking to calm your class’s first day jitters, help build a strong classroom culture, or celebrate the act of reading, all of the excellent picture books below are perfect for reading aloud.