![]() ![]() I said, ‘If a kids sends a postcard, we’ll send them one back,’ ” said Brown. “Somebody suggested that we send kids postcards. ![]() All are sent first class.Īs paper and postage costs have risen, presenting tough economic challenges to print businesses, the magazine never wavered. Some children receive very personal replies others receive form letters containing their names. Nothing symbolizes this more than the magazine’s commitment to answer or acknowledge all 6,000 of the letters, drawings, poetry or prose that arrive at Highlights from children each month. Through the years, Highlights has resisted major change, refusing to heed the latest styles and trends, refusing to accept advertisements, refusing to put profit before principle. It’s also designed as a reference book meant to be saved and filed. Highlights is designed to be enjoyed by boys and girls ages 2-12, quite a range in these days of niche magazines. Most of the stories and illustrations are from free-lancers. ![]() “We very much believe if we find something that works, we don’t tend to change it unless we can make it better,” said Brown.Ībout 20 percent of the magazine comes directly from readers. “The Timbertoes” is an easy-to-read cartoon that follows a nuclear family of wooden people with names like Ma, Tommy and Spot. Myers Jr., Brown’s cousin and chief executive officer of the Highlights corporation, the model for Gallant. The family says Kent Brown was the model for Goofus and Garry C. “Goofus and Gallant” is the illustrated saga of twins Goofus, a Boy Do-Bad, and Gallant, a Boy Do-Good. The trick is to find the objects hidden in the full-page drawing. “Hidden Pictures, the most famous Highlights feature, has appeared since the first issue. Many features have been in Highlights since its early days. If you look at Highlights, there are an awful lot of questions and not a lot of answers.” “One of the real basic tenets is that kids think and reason at earlier ages. “They (my grandparents) were really pushing kids to think and reason,” said Brown, 52. “Why couldn’t your nose be twelve inches long?” “What subject do cows like best?” (Answers can be found in the June anniversary issue.)Ī feature called “Headwork” asks questions like: “If you could have two more eyes, where would you want them to be?” It is pursued monthly through stories that embody values like honesty and fairness articles on science, art and history puzzles and crafts poetry, and jokes and riddles - lots of riddles. “Fun with a Purpose” was the motto then - and it is now. On its 50th birthday, Highlights has not veered from the dream begun in June 1946 by Brown’s grandparents, who created Highlights as a tool to entertain, challenge and educate children. ![]()
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