Highlights (magazine)

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Highlights for Children logo

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. They both worked for another children's magazine, Children's Activities, for 12 years before leaving to start Highlights.

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.

Features

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 inevitably 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.

The Timbertoes

Created by John Gee in 1946, The Timbertoes have 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.

References

• Official site