special report

HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN
“Fun with a Purpose”
September 2008 Issue
Reader Ages 3 – 12

Mission Statement [from masthead]: “This magazine of wholesome fun is dedicated to helping children grow in basic skills and knowledge, in creativeness, in ability to think and reason, in sensitivity to others, in high ideals and worthy ways of living – for children are the world’s most important people.”

Note: HIGHLIGHTS buys ALL RIGHTS. The material you sell to HIGHLIGHTS won’t be yours anymore. Be comfortable with that before submission because that’s just the way things are.

FROM THEIR GUIDELINES:

Word Length: “Stories for younger readers (ages three to seven) should be 500 words or fewer. Stories for older readers (eight to twelve) should be 800 words or fewer, and should be appealing to younger readers if read aloud.”

On Purpose: “Stories that teach by positive example, rather than preach, are preferred.” One editor told us they often get too much “purpose” and not enough “fun.” They do want stories that teach by example, but try to keep in mind that HIGHLIGHTS is read voluntarily by children, so if the story isn’t fun, exciting, and lively – the kids just won’t read it and HIGHLIGHTS won’t buy it.

Taboos: “Suggestions of crime and violence are taboo.” They also don’t buy pirate stories (no glorifying criminals), name-calling, disrespect toward adults, and using talking animals doesn’t negate any of the above. Yes, the animal world is filled with violence but talking animals aren’t real animals – so they cannot engage is behavior that children should not emulate. Also be careful of characters modeling dangerous or negative behavior. “Frequent needs include humor, mystery, sports, and adventure stories; retellings of traditional tales; stories in urban settings; and stories that feature world cultures.”

Rhyming stories are seldom purchased. Note: I have seen rebus stories done in rhyme and some rhyming stories. But your meter must be PERFECT (if you don’t know how to tell if your meter is perfect, don’t send the story to HIGHLIGHTS.) and it must also be a solid story. No weird bits thrown in to make lines rhyme. And of the 14 or so issues of HIGHLIGHTS I have in my sample box, I found exactly ONE rhyming story.

Payment: Stories -- $150 and up. Rebus -- $100 and up. Nonfiction -- $150 and up. Crafts -- $25 and up. Action rhymes and finger plays -- $25 and up. Party plans -- $50 and up.

TO SUBMIT:

“Editorial material for consideration should be sent to:

HIGHLIGHTS for Children
Editorial Department
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

Telephone inquiries should be made to (570) 253-1080. We prefer not to receive submissions electronically.”

Note: HIGHLIGHTS posts a “wish list” periodically and if you are responding to a need from the “wish list” it is acceptable to send the manuscript to the editor who stated the “wish.”

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

HIGHLIGHTS for Young Children
Fun With A Purpose
January 2008

INSIDE FRONT PAGE: “FUN THIS MONTH.” This page has a number of tiny pieces – one-paragraph shorts about Ramadan, World Maritime Day, and a checklist of fun things to help kids get in a good mood for school. The page also had a seasonal tongue twister and two picture puzzles (a maze and a group of pictures to find in the magazine),

CONTENTS PAGE: HIGHLIGHTS still codes each article, story, puzzle, etc according to age group and “value” (Creative Thinking or Moral Values). This makes it a great resource for writers trying to learn how to write for each age group.

Where Do You Sleep? [by William Engvick] This poem says it’s a song. It lists how different animals sleep – using create interpretation such the lamb that sleeps in wool and the bird that sleeps in a feather bed. 8 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABCB, DEFE

GOOFUS and GALLANT – Done In House (page also includes more tongue twisters from readers and a comic play on the phrase “monkey business.”)

Creatures Nobody Has Seen (readers) drawings and descriptions of strange creatures.

Starla Rae Takes Over (by Lissa Rovetch) A regular feature, “Ask Arizona” focuses on a story that illustrates an answer to a question. This month’s question was about whether it’s okay to watch a lot of TV.

Nature Watch –Pocket Gopher. A regular feature from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. Also on the page: a picture puzzle matching stuffed giraffes.

Thinking – Illustration of an art supply store with questions for readers to think about.

Cranky Me (by Eileen Spinelli) Written in first person, past tense. A story about a kid who discovers something important about being cranky. Lots of dialogue.

Happy Apple-Harvesters (Hidden Picture puzzle by Olivia Cole)

The Wonderful Waterproof Tent (by Patricia McNamee Hansen) A poem with short lines, echos “in my waterproof tent” with a funny last line. Nice brisk short lines– 11 lines.

Andy MacDonald: Skateboarding Sensation (by Joanne Mamenta) Profile of an award winning skateboarder who started skateboarding at twelve. He covers why he likes skateboarding, how hard he works at it, and what he’s achieved. Lots of quotes from MacDonald.

Hero, There-o (by Teresa Bateman). Written in third person, past tense. A humorous story, told much like a fairy tale, of a boy who does a small good deed that becomes huge as the story is passed from one person to the next.

Science Letters – a regular feature of reader science questions and answers. These focused on why we don’t remember being a baby and why fossils are found in museums.

The Timbertoes (by Marileta Robinson) A regular feature.

Science Corner – David Webster challenges readers to practice mirror writing, Timothy Loftus challenges readers to think about why walls that once egged pastures are now found in the woods, and there is also a brief explanation of how popcorn pops.

Two Too Many Turtles (by Wendi Silvano) Younger reader story – big print. A cranky turtle tries to bully two smaller turtles only to find himself splashed in the water. No violence but a clever tale of how bullies can sometimes get themselves into trouble. Third person, past tense.

An Alarm Clock that Crows (by Cecil Dzwowa) A personal experience story on relying on a rooster’s crow in Zimbabwe and why some roosters don’t crow on time – many times Highlights runs nonfiction that mixes an interesting experience with information beyond the experience.

Your Own Pages (poetry and drawings by Highlights readers)

Jake’s Toolbox (by Debra Friedland Katz) A rebus where two children compare “toolboxes.” 85 words. Twist ending. (written in third person)

Crafts – This month’s crafts make a shoebox aquarium, a papier-mâché pig bank, decorated folders, a darts type game and a rattle made from a branch. – all use readily available materials. Number of steps runs from 3 to 5. No introductions, just steps to make the item.

Walking Like a Dinosaur (by Cheryl M. Reifsnyder, Ph.D.) Article about a researcher who studies dinosaur footprints and uses emus to learn things about what the tracks show.

You Drew the Ending. Reader drawings created to end a show comic.

A President’s Toys (by Dan Risch) The writer’s personal experience on the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm and how the children visiting there helped him learn more about the president and about toys and games he may have played.

Mystery Club (by Maurissa Guibord) How the new girl at school solves a “mystery” in order to join a mystery club. Third person past tense.

Science Corner – simple science activity using cooking oil, food color, and watr. A comic about a tincan telephone. A question and answer about the depth of the ocean. And a question about wheels to get the reader to think.

Dino Days (by Dino Don Lessem) Dino Don answers reader questions about dinosaurs.

BrainPlay – Regular feature that encourages readers to think through a series of questions.

Dear HIGHLIGHTS – reader questions about not wanting to move, emails from strangers, getting parents to stop smoking and how to make a fort.

Inside back cover – picture puzzles

This page last updated on 01 September 2008