When Garry and Carolyn Meyers created Highlights for Children in 1946, they did so with the belief that children have an innate ability to think and learn and create and that they should be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings.
“They believed that children and what they think matter and that childhood is a short, sweet season worthy of the thoughtful, loving attention of adults,” says Christine French Cully, the magazine’s current editor in chief and “chief purpose officer.” “They believed it’s important to stand up for what’s morally right, even when it’s difficult, and that we never stop learning and growing.”
Highlights for Children founder Garry Meyers reads the magazine to his grandchildren.
Highlights, based in Columbus, recently celebrated its 75th year of “fun with a purpose”— presenting opportunities for parents to “lean in and listen” to encourage curiosity and self-confidence.
Along with longtime favorite monthly features such as “Hidden Pictures,” the magazine offers stories, puzzles, and riddles. Readers’ writing and artwork are showcased on “My Own Pages,” and “Brain Play” asks open-ended questions such as “Name some things that can’t be cleaned with soap” and “If paintings could come to life, what would you paint?”
The Myerses lived and raised their children in Cleveland, where Garry taught at what is now Case Western Reserve University and Caroline studied early childhood education. When they designed Highlights’ first issue, aimed for ages 2 to 12, they were 61 and 58 years old, respectively.
A few years later, they bought the magazine Children’s Activities, for which they had worked for 12 years. One of its features, “Goofus and Gallant,” created by Garry Myers, was moved to Highlights.
Another early decision was to establish the magazine’s business offices in Columbus. In 1946, just after
World War II, paper was scarce. A printer in Columbus was available, and since the family knew Ohio — and Ohio knew them — it just made sense.
Over the years, the company has expanded its offerings. Highlights, for ages 6–12, is now one of four publications. Highlights Hello (ages 0–2) launched in 2012; High Five (ages 2–6) began in 2007; and High Five Bilingue, in Spanish and English, was introduced in 2014. The brand also includes its retail division, Highlights Press; the publishing companies Zaner-Bloser and Stenhouse Publishers; and a slew of other publications, websites, apps, and podcasts.
The big picture, though, is simple (and without hidden objects): It’s a story of enduring focus on children.
“It’s important for young readers to be able to see themselves in our products, whether it’s their race, their religion, their gender, the type of home they live in, their family makeup, their ability level, or their interests,” Cully says.
And while children today are different from those of 1946, they still care about the same things they always have: friendship struggles, school, boredom, and siblings, as well as adult topics like divorce, and national and global problems.
The difference? They’re more sophisticated, Cully says. “They have access to so much more information. We look hard to find the untold or less-familiar stories to share with them. We don’t want to publish content they can find easily elsewhere.”
Through all the growth, evolution, and expansion, the founders’ original dream continues to resonate.
“The amazing thing about Highlights is the continuity of philosophy,” Cully says. “We still believe the things that Garry Cleveland Myers and Caroline Clark Myers believed, and we still try to show that in everything we do. We are all committed to Garry and Caroline’s belief that children are the world’s most important people.”
