Highlights for Children
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Highlights for Children is an American children's magazine. It began publication in June, 1946, started by Dr. 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.
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[edit] Before Highlights
Dr. 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 Mr. 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 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.
[edit] Features
[edit] Hidden Pictures
Hidden Pictures first appeared in the June 1946 issue of Highlights and has appeared in every subsequent issue. Children must find the smaller hidden pictures within the larger picture.
[edit] 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 a selfish or irresponsible response, while Gallant always responds with kindness and generosity. Goofus and Gallant's primary function is to teach children basic social skills. (In an episode of Beavis and Butt-head entitled "Patients, Patients," Beavis is shown reading an issue of Highlights, remarking that "Goofus is cool.") They have undergone a dramatic transformation as of late.
[edit] The Timbertoes
Created by John Gee in 1946, The Timbertoes has appeared in Highlights magazine for over 30 years. Originally a full-page black and white comic strip featuring line-drawn characters, the strip switched 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, 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 Ron Zalme.
[edit] Ask Arizona
This feature, written by Lissa Rovetch and illustrated by Mona Caron, appeared May, 2005. Arizona is a quirky, eleven year old girl who lives in a diverse neighborhood of San Francisco. She addresses various personal and social topics, in an advice column format, using examples from her experiences.
[edit] The Bears
Appearing in Highlights from the very beginning until about the late 1980s, this cartoon had a family of bears, similar to the Timbertoes. It is unknown why the feature was discontinued.
[edit] References
- Official site
- Highlights for Children 1 Billion Strong. Business First of Columbus, June 12, 2006.
