special report

HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN
“Fun with a Purpose”
January 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.

“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.” It also contains little bits like a note about National Handwriting Day and Trivia Day (including a bit of trivia), a tongue twister, ideas for things to do at the beginning of the new year, and three picture puzzles.

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.

The Llamas’ Holiday [by Gordon Snell] A silly poem made up of two limericks about llamas in pajamas.

GOOFUS and GALLANT – Done In House (page also includes quote about Martin Luther King and a cartoon of a penguin in bunny slippers)

The King’s Hat (Story and Art by Les Gray) A regular feature – a wordless story about a mouse.

Flash! Splash! Training A Deaf Polar Bear (by Mary Ann Hellinghausen) younger nonfiction – Has sound words like “Splash” and “Kerplunk” and short paragraph with lots of subheadings. Also has short “polar bear facts” in break-out sidebars. About a deaf polar bear named “Alaska” – about how they learned Alaska was deaf, and how they taught her the behaviors she would need to help them take care of her. Also a brief mention of her first experience with snow.

Fukuwarai: A Japanese Game (Carissa Monfalcone) About a traditional Japanese children’s game and how the reader can play the game at home. [On the same page was a picture puzzle – matching pictures]

Many Moons, Many Names (by Michelle Schaub) Very short (3 paragraph) facts about waxing/waning moon and that American Indians gave each moon cycle it’s own name. The actual cycle names are presented over a graphic of the moon. Then the reader is invited to make up names for the moon’s cycles and share them with Highlights.

The Most Valuable Treasure (A Norwegian Folktale retold by T.V. Padma) Sets tone and place right away with “Long ago, in Norway, there once was a boy…” It is a story of a young boy who wants to be rich so his mother doesn’t have to work so hard. A pixie helps him understand what is true treasure to his mother. Short paragraphs, plenty of sensory detail, and dialogue.

On The Frozen Pond (Hidden Picture puzzle by Linda Weller)

Resolution (by Viola Esther Base) A poem with a New Year’s resolution to grow – 8 lines.

Stage Fright (by Marne Ventura) Young fiction about a little girl who has to find her own way to overcome stage fright – mostly dialogue.

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.

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

The Bear Family – A regular feature. This one focused on saving for things you want – with a funny ending.

Crafts – This month’s crafts were to makes a seasonal scavenger hunt (from paper), a pencil python (from chenille sticks), juggling balls (from rice, sandwich bags and balloons), a yarn bowl, a memo board, and a puppet. – all use readily available materials. Number of steps runs from 3 to 6. No introductions, just steps to make the item.

Ollie’s Cake Catastrophe (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 giving a good present to a mom.

Science Letters – a regular feature of reader science questions and answers. These focused on why fire is hot and what makes waves in the ocean.

The Snowman’s Nose (by Leanne K. Currie-McGhee) A rebus about a novel nose for a snowman – rebus words were snowman, Zoey, carrot/carrots, Trent, refrigerator, freezer, juice pop, and coats – most words used several times. 100 words. Twist ending. (written in third person)

Peale’s Marvelous Parade (by Barbara Kerley) About a man who decided to have a museum of taxidermy animals and how he went about it. When the museum collection had to be moved – the man turned it into a parade. Seventeen short paragraphs – older reader nonfiction.

Nature Watch – Junco. A regular feature from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. Also on the page: Your Best Self – Single Panel comic about helping and Raising Rectangles (Redha HS) a picture puzzle asking the reader to imagine taking apart woven stripes in order from top to bottom.

Sit. Stay. Laugh! – dog jokes and comics.

Stormy Day Garage Games (by Heather Bode) Three active games that require little space and can be made with items around the house.

The Timbertoes (by Marileta Robinson) A regular feature.

Thinking – Illustration of the high-rise with questions for readers to think about.

Wild Ride (by Susan Kneib Schank) – Story poem about sledding – 5 stanzas.

Robot on the Ice (by Kimberly Shillcutt Tyree, Ph.D.) – Research using robots in Antartica to find meteorites for NASA, written by a researcher. (written in first person)

Drawing with Ovals (by Jenny Campbell) Step by step directions for drawing people and animals with a series of ovals.

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

Mei Mei (by Leanne K. Currie-McGhee) A girl feels badly that her adopted toddler sister seems afraid of her, but she finds a way to bridge the gap. (written in third person)

Dear Highlights – reader questions about speaking in class, using the dictionary, how the illustrations in Highlights are done, and how to deal with friends who watch more mature movies.

This page last updated on 01 January 2008