Claire’s Day

How could I ever establish something worthy of the love that we held for our first child?

What could I ever do that would allow me to grieve healthily, so that my other two children, daughter Kyle, and son, just 8 and 6 at the time, would see a Mom who loved and cherished them as well?

Six months after Claire died, I discovered a Time magazine which just happened to be tucked in my seat pocket on a flight to a family wedding. The issue featured a story about former First Lady Laura Bush and her role as honorary chair of the Texas Book Festival.

As I read the article, what struck me the most about the festival was that it featured Texas-born authors and illustrators. Whenever we read to the kids, we went to the back flap and learned about the creators.  Through this exercise, we discovered we had a wealth of talent in our backyard in Ohio.

I read the article and, with tears, turned to my husband and said, “This is what we are going to do to honor Claire.”

Claire’s Day was born. And it saved me.

Claire not only loved to read but also shared her passion with others.

Claire’s Day does the same in our mission to honor and remember Claire by inspiring children and families to become lifelong readers through a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.

Claire’s Day, A Celebration of Life, Authors, Illustrators and Reading Excellence has grown from a one-day book festival to a month filled with literary events for thousands of children and their families.  Check out our website here: Claire’s Day.

Our parent organization, Read for Literacy, now organizes two Claire’s Day book festivals.  Claire’s Day Toledo is held on the first Saturday in May at the Main Library in downtown Toledo. Claire’s Day Maumee takes place on the third Saturday in May at the Maumee, Ohio, branch library. The same library where little Claire would pick out more books than she could carry.

Both festivals feature authors reading from their books, illustrators sharing their artistic talents, and families enjoying hands-on activities together.

A highlight of the festivals is the C.A.R.E. Awards, Claire’s Awards for Reading Excellence, given to children nominated by their schools as being the most improved readers. My husband Brad, who is dyslexic, shares his heartfelt story with recipients and their families before each award ceremony.

On the days leading up to the book festival, children throughout Northwest Ohio experience the magic of a “real-live” author or illustrator visiting their schools. Claire’s Day partners with the host schools by providing a monetary grant to offset the honorarium or by donating books for the school library.

Claire’s Night is a fun reception held before either the Toledo or Maumee event. Claire’s Night features our guest authors and illustrators, fun food, libations, and an opportunity to support our mission through silent and live auctions.

We proudly celebrated our 25th anniversary events in May 2026.  It was an amazing reflection of how far we’ve grown as an organization. From that first year in 2002, when we honored 25 children for their reading improvements, to this year, where over 1300 children were recognized. Over 30 schools hosted our authors and illustrators, providing amazing outreach to children who might not be able to come to Claire’s Day. Overall, we now impact over 20,000 children and their families annually.

I’ve been asked what Claire might think of all of this. I know she, as we are, would be honored and humbled. And,  likely tucked away in a corner of the festivities, reading a book.

Check out my TEDx presentation about our journey here.