{{Short description|American children's magazine}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox magazine | title = Highlights for Children | logo = Highlights for Children magazine logo.svg | image_file = Highlights Magazine 75th Anniversary June 2021 Cover.png | image_size = 200px | image_caption = June 2021 cover highlighting the magazine's 75th anniversary | editor = Christine French Cully | editor_title = | frequency = Monthly | circulation = | category = | company = Highlights for Children, Inc. | publisher = | firstdate = {{start date and age|1946|6}} | country = United States<!--WP:ICONDECORATION--> | based = Business: Columbus, Ohio Editorial: Honesdale, Pennsylvania | language = English | website = {{Official website}} | issn = 0018-165X }}
'''''Highlights for Children''''', often referred to simply as '''''Highlights''''', is an American children's magazine. It was started in June 1946 by educators Garry Cleveland Myers and Caroline Clark Myers in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Highlights – About the Company|url=https://www.highlights.com/in-detail|website=Highlights for Children |access-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316104303/https://www.highlights.com/in-detail|archive-date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=January 21, 1981 |title=Children's Magazines: A Varied Choice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/21/garden/children-s-magazines-a-varied-choice.html |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> They worked for the children's magazine ''Children's Activities'' for twelve years before leaving to start ''Highlights''. The ''Highlights'' tagline is "Fun with a Purpose".<ref name="Timmons" />
While editorial offices remain in Honesdale, business operations are based in Columbus, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Children's Magazines|url=http://www.bookmarket.com/magazines-children.htm|work=Book Market|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025202514/http://bookmarket.com/magazines-children.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Mark |date=April 23, 2018 |title=Documentary Charmingly Tells the Story of 'Highlights for Children' Magazine |url=https://www.edweek.org/education/documentary-charmingly-tells-the-story-of-highlights-for-children-magazine/2018/04 |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=Education Week |language=en |issn=0277-4232}}</ref> The company also owns several subsidiaries, including book publisher Zaner-Bloser. ''Highlights'' surpassed one billion magazine copies in 2006.
''Highlights'', ''High Five'', ''High Five Bilingüe'', ''Highlights CoComelon'', ''Hello, brainPLAY'' magazines do not carry any third-party advertising or commercial messages.<ref name=":0" />
==Company history== Garry Myers earned a PhD in psychology from Columbia University before World War I, providing a basis for the teaching he would do the rest of his life. He and Caroline Myers taught illiterate soldiers for the US Army, with Caroline becoming the first female teacher employed by the Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highlights.com/founders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111063828/http://www.highlights.com/founders|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2010|title=The Founders|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Garry Cleveland Myers |url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/Myers__Garry |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Pennsylvania Center for the Book}}</ref> This experience led to their pioneering of elementary education. They taught educators and parents for a time at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1928, Garry Myers started writing a nationally syndicated column entitled ''Parent Problems'', which continued for 50 years. The couple also co-authored several books.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Highlights |url=https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/america%E2%80%99s-mailing-industry-industry-segments-magazine-publishers/highlights |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Smithsonian National Postal Museum |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
From the late 1920s to the mid-1930s, the Myers helped to develop a number of parenting publications, becoming nationally well known in education. They served as editors for the ''Children's Activities'' magazine.<ref name=":3" /> From 1941 to 1946, the two toured the United States, lecturing, writing articles, and publishing books. After ending their relationship with ''Children's Activities,'' they decided to start their own magazine. Later, they would buy ''Children's Activities'' and incorporate it in ''Highlights''.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Saullo |first=Richard |date=2010 |title=A Highlight of Childhood |url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/feature-articles/highlight-childhood |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Pennsylvania Center for the Book}}</ref>
''Highlights for Children'' began publication in June 1946,<ref name=":8" /> with Garry Myers serving as editor-in-chief.<ref name=":4" /> An editorial offices was set up in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and a business office was established near their printer in Columbus, Ohio.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Kathy Lynn |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Highlights: How the Columbus-based Children's Publisher Is Navigating the Digital Age |url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/2019/09/24/highlights-how-columbus-based-children/2641992007/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=Columbus Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref> After seeing the amount of advertisements in Children's Activities, the Myers decided that their magazine would not have paid ads.<ref name=":8" />
The first issue had 20,000 copies printed, but sales were lower than expected.<ref name="Singleton22">{{cite news |last1=Singleton |first1=David |date=April 4, 1986 |title=After 40 Years, Highlights Magazine Still Holds Tight To Values |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/04/04/after-40-years-highlights-magazine-still-holds-tight-to-values/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000640/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-04-04/lifestyle/0210210206_1_highlights-magazine-highlights-for-children-caroline-myers |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |work=Orlando Sentinel |quote=Editor Kent Brown Jr. said ''Highlights'' is still very much the same magazine founded by his grandparents, Garry and Caroline Myers. |agency=United Press International}}</ref> Within six months, the magazine was losing money and the founders asked their son Garry Myers, Jr. to work with them to wind it down. Recognizing its potential, he decided it was worth saving and came up with the idea of placing copies with doctors' and dentists' offices throughout North America.<ref>''44 Pages: : Making Highlights Magazine'', a documentary film about ''Highlights'' magazine, directed by Tony Shaff, 2017</ref> This turned the magazine's fortunes around.
On December 16, 1960, Myers, Jr., his wife Mary, and company vice-president Cyril Ewart were killed in a mid-air collision that left 134 dead. The three were traveling to discuss distribution plans for ''Highlights''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families remember 50th anniversary of fatal plane collision |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20101213/NEWS/312139717 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326195933/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20101213/NEWS/312139717 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |website=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barron |first=James |date=December 12, 2010 |title=50 Years Later, Traces of an Air Crash Linger in Rusty Metal, and Memories |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/nyregion/13cityroom.html |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> They were replaced on the board of directors by other members of the Myers family. Dick Bell was promoted to company president in 1962.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=April |date=January 6, 2020 |title=Resilience highlights a strong family culture |url=https://familybusinessmagazine.com/engagement/education-development/resilience-highlights-strong-family-culture/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Family Business Magazine}}</ref>
Garry Cleveland Myers died in 1971 and Walter Barbe took over as editor-in-chief.<ref name=":5" /> In 1972, Zaner-Bloser became a wholly owned subsidiary of Highlights for Kids.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History and Heritage |url=https://www.zaner-bloser.com/company/history.php |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Zaner-Bloser |language=en}}</ref> Bell was also named CEO in 1980, before transitioning to chairman a year later. Garry Myers III was named CEO.<ref name=":5" />
At this time, the company had become a diversified educational-publishing enterprise with $21 million a year in gross revenues. Its subsidiaries included Essential Learning Products, the Zaner-Bloser Company, the quarterly Newsletter of Parenting, with a circulation of 15,000.<ref name=":0" />
Kent Brown Jr., a grandson of the Myers, took over as editor-in-chief in 1989. The company expanded its operations in the 1990s. It founded Boyds Mill Press in 1990 to focus on trade books for children.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Porter |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Highlights for Children Sells Boyds Mills Press to Kane Press |url=https://publishingperspectives.com/2019/05/highlights-for-children-sells-boyds-mills-to-kane-press-owned-by-china-company-thinkingdom/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Publishing Perspectives |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1991, the company acquired Staff Development for Educators, which provides continuing education for teachers. Stenhouse Publishing, established in 1993, produces research-driven professional development books for educators.<ref name=":5" />
The company relocated to its current Columbus headquarters in 2000.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Eiliana |title=Highlights celebrates 75 years: 'Do what you do. And do it for more children' |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/family/2021/08/09/columbus-based-highlights-children-magazine-celebrates-anniversary/8039837002/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref> Myers III remained as CEO until his sudden death in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Abby |date=January 31, 2005 |title=Highlights CEO Myers Dies at 59 |url=https://www.dmnews.com/highlights-ceo-myers-dies-at-59/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=DMNews |language=en-US}}</ref> He was replaced by Kent Johnson Jr., a great-grandson of the Myers.<ref name=":5" /> Under Johnson, the company has grown its print, digital, and specialty offerings.<ref name=":13" />
In April 2013, ''Highlights'' began publishing issues in India. This included ''Highlights Champs'', for children ages 6 to 12, and ''Highlights Genies'', for children ages 2 to 6.<ref name="Timmons" /> By October, international versions of ''Highlights'' and ''High Five'' were made available in Australia, South Africa, Taiwan, and Chile.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Highlights For Children, Inc. Launches International Editions of Highlights and Highlights High Five Magazines |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highlights-for-children-inc-launches-international-editions-of-highlights-and-highlights-high-five-magazines-227046131.html |location=Columbus, Ohio |publisher=Highlights for Children |via=PR Newswire |date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2018, the company merged its Staff Development for Educators and Stenhouse operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Staff Development for Educators, Stenhouse Publishers to form partnership in Portsmouth, N.H. |url=https://www.highereddive.com/press-release/20180110-staff-development-for-educators-stenhouse-publishers-to-form-partnership-i/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Higher Ed Dive |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2019, Highlights for Children sold Its Boyds Mills Press division, including its Calkins Creek and WordSong imprints, to Kane Press in 2019. The Highlights Press and Highlights Learning imprints were not included in the sale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlights Sells Boyds Mills to Kane Press |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/79952-highlights-exits-the-book-business.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204212912/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/79952-highlights-exits-the-book-business.html |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2020 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}}</ref><ref name=":12" />
In June 2023, Highlights for Children acquired Tinkergarten, a company that provides research-backed, play-based outdoor learning experiences to children six months to 8 years of age.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Highlights for Children Acquires Tinkergarten, Expanding Its Commitment to Early Childhood Education |url=https://shop.highlights.com/corporate/news/highlights-for-children-acquires-tinkergarten-expanding-its-commitment-to-early-childhood-education |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Highlights for Children}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bush |first=Josh |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Highlights for Children magazine publisher acquires Tinkergarten |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2023/04/highlights-for-children-acquires-tinkergarten.html?page=all |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> The company then quietly sold Stenhouse to Taylor & Francis in July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Educational & Professional |url=https://www.broadwaterllc.com/Pages/eduprof.html |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Broadwater & Associates}}</ref>
==''Highlights''== ''Highlights'' previously focused on developing the reading and thinking skills of 3- to 12-year-olds.<ref name=":0" /> However, with the release of subsequent magazines, it is geared mainly to elementary school students; it contains stories and puzzles for children ages six to twelve years old.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2021 |title='Highlights' Children's Magazine Turns 75 |url=https://growingbolder.com/stories/highlights-childrens-magazine-turns-75/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Growing Bolder |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1954, the ''Highlights for Children'' cover changed to feature a design by Munro Leaf. The magazine introduced its familiar "smiling H" logo in 1957.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Betsy |date=June 4, 2016 |title=Take A Record: Have Fun With A Purpose At Ohio State's Highlights For Children Exhibit |url=https://beesfirstappearance.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/highlights/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=beesfirstappearance |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Magazines by Highlights |url=http://www.kathleendeady.com/Magazines-HighlightsPage.htm |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=Kathleen W. Deady}}</ref> Circulation first reached one million subscribers in 1971.<ref name=":13" /> By the 1980s, ''Highlights'' was the most popular children's magazine in the United States, having close to two million subscribers, with 95 percent of the copies mailed to homes. The magazine accepted no advertising and eschewed single-issue sales, but could be found in most pediatrician’s and dentist's waiting rooms in North America.<ref name="Singleton">{{cite news |last=Singleton |first=David |date=April 4, 1986 |title=After 40 Years, Highlights Magazine Still Holds Tight To Values |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/04/04/after-40-years-highlights-magazine-still-holds-tight-to-values/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000640/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-04-04/lifestyle/0210210206_1_highlights-magazine-highlights-for-children-caroline-myers |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |work=Orlando Sentinel |quote=Editor Kent Brown Jr. said ''Highlights'' is still very much the same magazine founded by his grandparents, Garry and Caroline Myers. |agency=United Press International}}</ref>
By 1981, the magazine mailed 1,250,000 issues 11 months out of the year. That January, after 35 years, the magazine changed its cover to a new six-color, illustrated format.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=January 21, 1981 |title=Children's Magazines: A Varied Choice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/21/garden/children-s-magazines-a-varied-choice.html |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> By 1995, ''Highlights''{{'}} circulation had grown to 2.8 million, with most subscribers still being families.<ref name="McClurg-Cares" />
Actor Henry Winkler wrote an article discussing his experience overcoming dyslexia in a 2005 issue of the magazine.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Winkler |first=Henry |title=The World's Greatest Underachiever |url=https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/self-esteem-stress-management/worlds-greatest-underachiever |journal=Highlights |volume=60(3) |issue=641 |pages=26–27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Highlights Magazine Celebrates 65th Anniversary, Presents First Smiling H Awards |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highlights-magazine-celebrates-65th-anniversary-presents-first-smiling-h-awards-124354928.html |location=Columbus, Ohio |publisher=Highlights for Children |via=PR Newswire |date=June 22, 2011 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In 2006, the United States Postal Service delivered the one-billionth copy of ''Highlights'' magazine to a young subscriber in Dallas, Texas.<ref name="Chron">{{cite press release|title=One-Billionth Copy of Highlights Magazine Delivered to Young Dallas Subscriber by Highlights for Children and the United States Postal Service|work=Chron |url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/PRN-One-Billionth-Copy-of-Highlights-Magazine-1889075.php|access-date=September 28, 2017|agency=PR Newswire|date=August 1, 2006|quote=The girl, an elementary school child, and her family were presented with the one-billionth copy during a special party celebrating the 60th anniversary of ''Highlights'' magazine attended by other children from the Dallas area.|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929043928/http://www.chron.com/news/article/PRN-One-Billionth-Copy-of-Highlights-Magazine-1889075.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Timmons">{{cite web|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=Goofus and Gallant Come to India|url=https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/highlights-childrens-magazines-come-to-india-bringing-goofus-and-gallant-with-them/|department=India Ink|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 28, 2017|date=April 18, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044132/https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/highlights-childrens-magazines-come-to-india-bringing-goofus-and-gallant-with-them/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Highlights''' illustrations feature people of all colors and its stories also cover diverse communities.<ref name="McClurg-Cares">{{cite news |last=McClurg |first=Jocelyn |date=February 9, 1995 |title=The Kids' Magazine That Cares |url=https://www.courant.com/1995/02/09/the-kids-magazine-that-cares-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929003040/http://articles.courant.com/1995-02-09/news/9502040075_1_kids-magazine-highlights |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |work=Hartford Courant |quote=Highlights is dedicated to 'wholesome fun,' and, as the magazine says, to helping kids grow in basic skills and knowledge, in creativeness, in sensitivity to others and in 'high ideals.' But 'fun' is the most important part, says coordinating editor Rich Wallace.}}</ref> Its February 2017 issue included a family with two dads, the first depiction of a same-sex relationship in the magazine's 70-year history.<ref name="Hamill2">{{cite web |last1=Hamill |first1=Jim |date=January 10, 2017 |title='Highlights for Children' Magazine Makes History |url=http://wnep.com/2017/01/10/highlights-for-children-magazine-makes-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000925/http://wnep.com/2017/01/10/highlights-for-children-magazine-makes-history/ |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |website=WNEP.com |publisher=Tribune Broadcasting |quote=}}</ref> By March, same-sex couples were also depicted in ''High-Five'' and ''Hello''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=March 15, 2017 |title=A Magazine for Toddlers Printed a Picture of Same-Sex Parents, and No One Seemed to Notice |url=https://slate.com/culture/2017/03/highlights-hello-magazine-printed-its-first-picture-of-same-sex-parents.html |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}</ref>
The magazine is now offered in many different languages, including Korean, Chinese, Malay, Polish, Czech, Russian, Greek, French, Turkish, Portuguese, Thai, and Hungarian.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Feran |first=Tim |date=September 17, 2015 |title='Highlights for Children' going mobile |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2015/09/17/highlights-for-children-going/23359147007/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
The company donated the magazine's archives to Ohio State University.[https://library.osu.edu/collections/spec.rare.cms.0351/inventory] At the time, 1,200 boxes of back issues and Dear Highlights letters were being kept in a Honesdale barn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Heritage and Imagination: Pat Mikelson and the Highlights for Children Records at University Libraries |url=https://library.osu.edu/news/heritage-and-imagination-pat-mikelson-and-the-highlights-for-children-records-at-university |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Ohio State University Libraries |language=en}}</ref>
=== Regular features ===
==== Ask Arizona ==== Appearing in the magazine since 2005, "Ask Arizona" is a story series featuring a girl named Arizona who writes an advice column for other children, similar to Dear Abby or Ask Ann Landers. The article depicts real-life experiences and appears in every issue.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Erica |date=June 19, 2006 |title=Magazine for children much the same at 60 |url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2006/06/19/magazine-for-children-much-the-same-at-60/31162262007/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=The Star Banner |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Hidden Pictures ==== "Hidden Pictures" has appeared in every issue of ''Highlights'' since the magazine's inception. Children are asked to find small hidden images within a larger picture.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Fecteau |first=Mary |date=October 20, 2019 |title=Children's Magazine, Highlights, Stays Alive By Staying The Same |url=https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2019-10-20/childrens-magazine-highlights-stays-alive-by-staying-the-same |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Ideastream Public Media |language=en}}</ref>
==== ''Goofus and Gallant'' ==== {{main article|Goofus and Gallant}} thumb|right|A classic Goofus and Gallant from October 1980First appearing in ''Highlights'' in 1948,<ref name=":13" /> ''Goofus and Gallant'' is what ''New Yorker Magazine'' calls a "brazenly didactic" cartoon strip<ref name="NY">{{cite magazine |last=Larson |first=Sarah |date=August 1, 2018 |title="44 Pages," A wondrous study of a kids' magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/recommends/watch/44-pages-a-wondrous-study-of-a-kids-magazine |magazine=New Yorker Magazine |access-date=February 26, 2024}}</ref> that features two contrasting boys, Goofus and Gallant. Created by Garry Cleveland Myers, the boys were originally drawn as elves and originated from an earlier version of the strip called “The G-Twins” at the magazine ''Children’s Activities.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Julie |date=June 28, 2023 |title=The Comic Strip That Explains the Evolution of American Parenting |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/06/goofus-and-gallant-american-parenting-highlights/674536/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref>
In each cartoon, it is shown how each boy would respond to the same situation. Goofus chooses an irresponsible, immature and unkind path, while Gallant chooses a responsible, mature and kind path.<ref name=":10" /> Often the panels would provide a description, such as on a school bus: ''Goofus hogs his seat'' – ''Gallant makes space for someone else to sit down''. Sometimes the situations would show the boys talking, such as phone courtesy when parents are away: Goofus: "Someone called but I forgot their name." Gallant: "Someone called for you. I wrote down their name and number."
''Goofus and Gallant's'' primary function is to teach children basic social skills.<ref name="Timmons" /> Originally drawn in black and white, ''Goofus and Gallant'' changed to colored pencils in 1994 and later changed to colored computer graphics in December 2005.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
In 2004, the magazine introduced "Gallant Kids," a feature that shows children who perform good deeds in their community.<ref name=":15" />
==== ''The Timbertoes'' ==== First appearing in 1951,<ref name=":13" /> ''The Timbertoes'' features a family of wooden puppets.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":10" />
==== Check and Double Check ==== The feature "Check...and Double Check" asks kids to examine two images and spot the differences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2013 |title=Highlight's magazine creates Rachel Maddow Check...and Double Check feature! |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/highlights-magazine-creates-rachel-maddow-check-double-check-feature-flna6c10379835 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
==== What's Wrong? ==== Featured on the back cover, "What's Wrong?" is a large drawing of a typical scene of children playing, but unusual objects take the place of normal things throughout the picture. The page instructs the reader to find the various objects that are wrong.<ref name=":13" />
==== Brain Play ==== The "Brain Play" section of the magazine comprises a list of several simple questions for children to answer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dudenhoefer |first=Nicole |date=Spring 2019 |title=UCF Grad Contemporizes the Classic 'Highlights' Magazine' |url=https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/ucf-grad-contemporizes-classic-highlights-magazine/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=Pegasus Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Dear ''Highlights'' ==== "Dear ''Highlights''" is an advice column from real children appearing at the back of each issue. ''Highlights'' editors write back to every child who writes to them.<ref name=":6" /> Since 1946, the magazine has received over two million letters.<ref name=":11" />
In 2021, for the 75th anniversary of ''Highlights for Children'', the company published ''Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids'', a collection of 300 pages of Dear ''Highlights'' letters and the answers that were sent back.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":11" />
==== Other features ====
''Highlights'' also features jokes, riddles, puzzles, short stories, poems, recipes, and craft projects throughout each issue. A puzzle is always featured at the front side of the back cover.
"About You" is a section from real children, telling about their favorite hobbies and things.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
"Create" is a feature that prints drawings, poems, and stories by readers who submit them to the magazine.<ref name=":152">{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Erica |date=June 19, 2006 |title=Magazine for children much the same at 60 |url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2006/06/19/magazine-for-children-much-the-same-at-60/31162262007/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=The Star Banner |language=en-US}}</ref>
''Highlights'' also runs contests asking kids to submit stories to the magazine. They may be asked to complete an unfinished story or submit a short story based on an illustration. Several ideas would be chosen as winners and featured in a future issue.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
=== Former features ===
==== Aloysius ==== The Aloysius stories were written by Sydney K. Davis.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 24, 2004 |title=Obituaries: Sydney K. Davis |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10048B81B5AEE4C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014212501/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10048B81B5AEE4C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> They centralized on an anthropomorphic wolf named Aloysius, who would get into a situation and have to be rescued by the other characters in the story, a male named Samuel Samuel and a female named Wanda. These stories began in 1951<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aloysius Wolf - History |url=https://sites.google.com/site/aloysiusthewolf/home/history |website=sites.google.com}}</ref> and appeared until 1993.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
==== The Bear Family ==== This is a cartoon created by Garry Cleveland Myers. It focuses on a family of bears consisting of Father Bear, Mother Bear, daughter Woozy, and sons Poozy and Piddy. They learned about everything from name-calling to discipline. This comic appeared from the beginning until 1989, and again from 1998 to 2012.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
==== Your Best Self ==== "Your Best Self" is a one-panel comic that appeared until June 2015 showing kids doing the right thing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
==''Highlights High Five''==
'''''Highlights High Five''''' is a younger children's counterpart to ''Highlights'', first published with the January 2007 issue.<ref name=":7" /> This children's magazine is for preschoolers ages two through five.<ref name=":2" /> The goal of ''High Five'' is to help children develop and to give parent and child a fun and meaningful activity to do together each month. Every issue is 40 pages and includes poems and stories, crafts, easy recipes, games, puzzles and other activities that encourage children to be lifelong learners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Highlights High Five Magazine for Preschoolers|url=http://www.highlights.com/high-five-magazine-for-kids|publisher=Highlights for Children|access-date=January 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116095330/http://www.highlights.com/high-five-magazine-for-kids|archive-date=January 16, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In July 2008, ''Highlights for Children'' launched a Korean edition of ''Highlights High Five'' published under the title ''Hello Friend''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Lauren |date=May 7, 2008 |title=Highlights launches kids' title in Korea |url=https://www.dmnews.com/highlights-launches-kids-title-in-korea/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=DMNews |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2014, the company launched ''High Five Bilingüe'' for English and Spanish speakers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2014 |title=Highlights for Children, Inc. Introduces High Five Bilingüe Magazine in Spanish and English For Children Ages 2 to 6 |url=https://news.cision.com/highlights-for-children/r/highlights-for-children--inc--introduces-high-five-bilingue-magazine--in-spanish-and-english-for-chi,c9671005 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=News Powered by Cision |language=en}}</ref>
==''Highlights Hello''== thumb|right|''Highlights Hello'' magazine
'''''Highlights Hello''''' was introduced in December 2012. This magazine is designed to create bonding time between babies and toddlers and their caregivers. ''Highlights Hello'' magazine target audience is children ages 0–2 years old.<ref name=":2" /> ''Highlights'' announced that this magazine, which is offered in several subscription packages<ref>{{cite web|title=Highlights Hello Magazine for Toddlers|url=http://www.highlights.com/highlights-hello-magazine-for-kids|publisher=Highlights for Children|access-date=January 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116095100/http://www.highlights.com/highlights-hello-magazine-for-kids|archive-date=January 16, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> is designed specifically for babies and includes safety features like rounded edges, tear-resistant pages, moisture-resistant pages with stitched (not stapled) binding and are easy to wipe clean.<ref name=":7" />
==''brainPLAY'' magazine== Highlights released a new all-puzzle magazine in June 2023. ''brainPLAY'' is a 32-page monthly magazine full of puzzles for kids 7 and older. Puzzles featured in the magazine include Hidden Pictures puzzles, logic puzzles, sudoku, crosswords, mazes and more.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Janoski |first=Melissa M. |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Highlights of childhood |url=https://www.biz570.com/highlights-of-childhood/article_376c30ea-7ae7-5543-84cc-ebd8f9264818.html |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal |language=en}}</ref>
==''Highlights CoComelon'' mini magazine== ''Highlights CoComelon'' mini magazine is a co-branded magazine partnership between Highlights for Children and Moonbug Entertainment, the company behind the popular CoComelon YouTube channel. Debuting in August 2024, the magazine is for kids 1-4 and pairs CoComelon songs and characters with Highlights’ classic stories, poems, puzzles, activities, and games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Moonbug Brings CoComelon to Highlights Magazine, the Mall of America and Other Exciting Partners in 2024 |url=https://www.anbmedia.com/news/2024/05/moonbug-cocomelon-highlights-mall-of-america-partners-2024/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=aNb Media, Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Digital initiatives == In 1996, to celebrate the magazine's 50th anniversary, a CD-ROM game titled ''Highlights Interactive'' was released featuring games based the magazine's then-current features.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKxrHRD7GqA | title=Highlights Interactive – Longplay | website=YouTube| date=June 22, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/HighlightsInteractive | title=Highlights Interactive [#2588] | year=1996}}</ref> This was followed in 1997 by a spin-off game, ''Highlights Hidden Pictures Workshop''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwzP-JQrO54 | title=Highlights Hidden Pictures Workshop – Gameplay | website=YouTube | date=October 18, 2019 }}</ref>
The magazine's website was launched in 2001.<ref name=":13" />
In 2010, ''Highlights'' released a series of educational mobile apps on the iOS App Store.<ref name="tc-everyday">{{cite web|title=Children's magazine Highlights reinvents itself as a subscription service with videos, activities and more|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/20/childrens-magazine-highlights-reinvents-itself-as-a-subscription-service-with-videos-activities-and-more/?ncid=rss|website=TechCrunch|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423174002/http://techcrunch.com/2016/04/20/childrens-magazine-highlights-reinvents-itself-as-a-subscription-service-with-videos-activities-and-more/?ncid=rss|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Highlights for Children released multiple new mobile apps for kids, including Hidden Pictures and My Highlights.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |date=August 5, 2015 |title=Find Highlights magazine's new 'hidden pictures' app |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/05/news/highlights-magazine-app-hidden-pictures/index.html |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> By the following May, a third app called Monster's Day was released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feran |first=Tim |date=May 7, 2016 |title=Highlights for Children plans apps for preschoolers |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2016/05/07/highlights-for-children-plans-apps/23401917007/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref> The Highlights Every Day and Highlights Shapes apps launched in 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlights Shapes Mobile App |url=https://bestmobileappawards.com/app-submission/highlights-shapes |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=The Best Mobile App Awards |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Fingerprint And Highlights™ Offer Every Teacher In America Highlights™ Every Day And Scribble Press: Creative Book Maker For Free |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/fingerprint-and-highlights-offer-every-teacher-in-america-highlights-every-day-and-scribble-press-creative-book-maker-for-free-1002371777 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=Markets Insider |language=en}}</ref> and Hidden Pictures Puzzle Town app launched in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hidden Pictures Puzzle Town™ Mobile App |url=https://bestmobileappawards.com/app-submission/highlights-preschool-puzzle-town |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=The Best Mobile App Awards|language=en}}</ref>
In 2018, "44 Pages," a 90-minute documentary, was released that covered the magazine's history and legacy.<ref name=":9" /> In June, the company launched the Highlights Hangout podcast, an audio version of the magazine. It includes stories, sound-based puzzles, listener-submitted jokes, poems, and questions, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |date=June 1, 2018 |title=Highlights Magazine Announces New Podcast |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwbooks/article/Highlights-Magazine-Announces-New-Podcast-20180601 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
On June 25, 2019, ''Highlights for Children''{{'}}s Twitter account denounced the practice of family separation at the Mexico–United States border.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Haller |first1=Sonja |last2=Bote |first2=Joshua |date=June 26, 2019 |title=Children's mag Highlights slams 'unconscionable' migrant family separations |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/allthemoms/2019/06/26/highlights-magazine-slams-treatment-migrant-families/1572542001/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2021, Amazon's Audible and Highlights partnered to release podcast series based on ''Goofus and Gallant'' and ''Ask Arizona''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Karly |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Audible Teams Up with Highlights to Bring Your Fave Characters to Life |url=https://tinybeans.com/audible-highlights-storytelling-experiences-for-kids/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Tinybeans |language=en-US}}</ref> The magazine also launched the ''Dear Highlights'' podcast for parents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Combs |first=Bobbie |date=August 26, 2021 |title=#HFGather: Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids |url=https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2021/08/26/hfgather-dear-highlights-what-adults-can-learn-from-75-years-of-letters-and-conversation-with-kids/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Highlights Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Highlights Celebrates Culmination of 75th Anniversary Year and Looks Toward the Future |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216005855/en/Highlights-Celebrates-Culmination-of-75th-Anniversary-Year-and-Looks-Toward-the-Future |access-date=October 18, 2024 |location=Columbus, Ohio |publisher=Highlights for Children |via=Business Wire}}</ref>
In February 2024, ''Highlights for Children'' and Google partnered on a special issue of ''Highlights'' focusing on digital wellbeing, mental health, and online safety. The collaboration included a limited print run, a digital version, and a custom website based on Google's online safety curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Ari |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Go inside our Be Internet Awesome issue of Highlights |url=https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/google-org/highlights-internet-awesome-special-edition/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Google |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlights + Google: Be Internet Awesome |url=https://internetawesome.highlights.com |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Be Internet Awesome}}</ref>
== Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights Foundation) == In 1984, the Highlights Foundation nonprofit was formed to support children’s authors and illustrators through retreats, seminars, and workshops.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=April |date=January 6, 2020 |title=Resilience highlights a strong family culture |url=https://familybusinessmagazine.com/engagement/education-development/resilience-highlights-strong-family-culture/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Family Business Magazine}}</ref>
The Foundation maintains a 1,300-acre retreat center in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. George K. Brown, a great-grandson of the original ''Highlights'' founders, was elected as executive director in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Combs |first=Bobbie |date=April 20, 2018 |title=George Brown Elected Executive Director of the Highlights Foundation |url=https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2018/04/20/george-brown-elected-executive-director-of-the-highlights-foundation/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=Highlights Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, children's author Renée Watson endowed a scholarship for a week-long retreat by a black woman author.<ref name=":14" />
On January 11, 2026, the foundation announced it had changed its name to Boyds Mills. It stated that its purpose remained the same. <ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2026 |title=A New Chapter: The Highlights Foundation is now Boyds Mills.|url=https://boydsmills.org/blog/the-highlights-foundation-is-now-boyds-mills/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |website=Boyds Mills |language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * {{Portal inline|Ohio}} * {{Portal inline|Children's literature}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * "[https://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/06/12/daily6.html Highlights for Children 1 Billion Strong]". ''Business First of Columbus'', June 12, 2006.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Highlights For Children}} Category:Advertising-free magazines Category:Children's magazines published in the United States Category:Honesdale, Pennsylvania Category:Magazines established in 1946 Category:Magazines published in Ohio Category:Magazines published in Pennsylvania Category:Mass media in Columbus, Ohio Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States