Everything Has a Name”: How Jan Caruthers is Closing the Vocabulary Gap

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“Everything Has a Name. How many do you know?”

This is the motto of Children’s Literacy Publications (CLP), and for founder Janet (Jan) Caruthers, Ed. S., it isn’t just a tagline—it is a call to action. Founded in 2001, CLP was born out of a realization that a significant “vocabulary gap” was holding students back from becoming successful readers.

Today, we are highlighting Jan’s journey and her mission to ensure every child has the words they need to build a brighter future.

Experience Grounded in Reality

Jan’s expertise is built on a foundation of academic excellence and real-world service. She earned her B.A. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida and later achieved both an M.S. in English and an Ed. S. (Educational Specialist) degree in Reading from Nova Southeastern University.

However, the true catalyst for her work was her 29 years of teaching in Title 1 schools. Serving as a classroom teacher and an Academic Intervention Specialist, Jan saw firsthand what disadvantaged children need to succeed. She also earned an ESOL endorsement through Hillsborough County Public Schools, further cementing her ability to help diverse learners.

Children’s Literacy Publications: Bridging the Gap

After witnessing the struggle many students faced due to a lack of basic vocabulary, Jan established Children’s Literacy Publications. The company publishes books designed to build vocabulary for everyone from infants to adults.

Jan has authored five books and a workbook series specifically focused on filling the vocabulary gap. Her goal is simple but profound: to help children and adults increase the number of words they know, thereby making them better readers, writers, listeners, and speakers.

The Dictionary Project: A Tool for Change

A centerpiece of Jan’s work is The Dictionary Project. This initiative directly targets the vocabulary gap by providing picture dictionaries to second graders in high-poverty schools.

The project utilizes two key resources Jan developed:

• The Illustrated Dictionary of Everyday Things: Filled with the specific labels and words children need to create a “storehouse of words”.
• The Dictionary Toolkit: Provided to second-grade teachers, this includes lessons, assignments, and activities to help students actively review and use the new words they are learning.

By mastering these labels, students in these schools are given a better chance at success in school and beyond. As Jan says, “Helping disadvantaged children is the reason I wrote this book!”

Learn More

Jan is dedicated to helping parents and teachers create better readers. For more information on her books, The Dictionary Project, and free resources for vocabulary development, visit her website:

👉 https://childrensliteracypublications.com