Highlights for Children

"Highlights for Children" (referred as simply Highlights) is an American children's magazine. It began publication in June 1946, started by Garry Cleveland Myers and his wife Caroline Clark Myers in Honesdale, Pennsylvania (the present location of its editorial office). They both worked for another children's magazine, "Children's Activities", for 12 years before leaving to start "Highlights". The company is presently based in Columbus, Ohio. "Highlights" has surpassed a billion copies in print.

Before "Highlights"

Myers had earned a PhD in psychology from Columbia University before WWI, providing a basis for the teaching he would do the rest of his life. He and Mrs. Myers taught illiterate soldiers for the US Army, with Mrs. Myers becoming the first ever female teacher employed by the Army. This rich experience led to their pioneering of elementary education. They taught educators and parents for a time at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, during which Dr. Myers wrote a nationally syndicated column entitled "Parent Problems" and authored, along with Mrs. Myers, several books.

They had become national stalwarts in education and wished to share their knowledge so they began to work for "Children's Activities". Lecturing across the nation, they not only informed, they discovered and refined what they knew. Certain business endeavors Clarifyme|date=August 2008 kept them from publishing what they thought was ideal for a children's magazine. Their travels also led to long discussions on what would be appropriate for children, and after finishing with "Children's Activities" instead of retiring they decided to start their own magazine. Their immense knowledge and uncompromising methods led to a resounding success of Highlights. Later, they would buy "Children's Activities" and incorporate it in "Highlights".

Highlights High Five

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"Highlights High Five" is a younger kids' counterpart of "Highlights", first published with the January 2007 issue. It is for ages 2-6.

Features

Ask Arizona

First appearing in 2005, Ask Arizona is a column that centers around a girl named Arizona who writes advice for children. Its articles depict real-life experiences that are meant to be fun and educational. Although a ficticious character, Arizona is portrayed as an eight-year-old girl.

Hidden Pictures

Hidden Pictures first appeared in the June 1946 issue of "Highlights" and has appeared on page 14 in every issue since. Children must find the smaller hidden pictures within the larger picture.

Goofus & Gallant

First appearing in "Highlights" in 1948, "Goofus & Gallant" is a regular cartoon feature drawn by Anni Matsick depicting the difference between "good" and "bad" behavior. The strip features two contrasting boys, Goofus and Gallant. In each cartoon, it is shown how each boy would respond to the same situation. Goofus invariably chooses an irresponsible path, while Gallant always responds with kindness and generosity. "Goofus and Gallant's" primary function is to teach children basic social skills. The cartoon changed to colored pencils in 1994 and later changed to colored computer graphics in December 2005.

The Timbertoes

Created for a 1932 book of the same name (published by The Harter Publishing Company) by writers Edna M. Aldredge and Jessie F. McKee along with illustrator John Gee, "The Timbertoes" has appeared in Highlights magazine for over 30 years. The first Highlights incarnation was a full-page black and white comic strip featuring line-drawn characters, later switching to digital color in 2003. "The Timbertoes" family consists of parents Ma and Pa and their children Mabel and Tommy. The characters, including their pet dog Spot and their pet cat Splinter, are depicted as being constructed from wood. Upon Gee's passing, "Highlights" Senior Editor Marileta Robinson took over writing the strip, with illustrations done by Judith Hunt and currently by Ron Zalme.

The Bear Family

Appearing in "Highlights" from the very beginning until 1989, this cartoon featured a family of bears which included the mother, father and three children named Poozy, Woozy and Piddy. It reappeared in 1998 and has been a regular feature ever since.

Your Own Pages

"Your Own Pages" is a feature that has drawings, poems, and stories from kids that are sent to Highlights. They are shown in every issue that is made, and a few are selected to appear in the magazine.

What's Wrong?

Featured on the back cover, What's Wrong is a large drawing of a typical scene of children playing, but odd objects take the place of normal things throughout the picture. The reader is challenged to discover everything that doesn't belong.

Crafts

This is a section where kids can make different crafts, such as puzzles, puppets, cards, etc.

References

* [http://www.highlights.com/ Official site]
* " [http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/06/12/daily6.html Highlights for Children 1 Billion Strong] ". "Business First of Columbus", June 12, 2006.