Our stories help kids see themselves in the world—and if we’re lucky, spark a lifelong love of reading. For many stories, the love of reading ignites another skill— writing! In many classrooms, books serve to nurture readers and young writers. Join us for our next free HFGather exploring what it means to write with kids, and why discovering how to write with kids is an important skill for those who write for kids!

Our panelists include Diana Ma and Valerie Bolling who, using their educational backgrounds, have crafted pedagogical books about writing and empowering students. They will share ways that their work as educators influences their work as children’s book writers, as well as how you too can find ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen your community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire.

We bring much of ourselves to our work—for the better, many would agree—especially when writing for kids and teens. But, how do we do this work without harm to ourselves? How do we nurture our wounds, while providing honesty and hope to our readers? For this special #HFGather, join Heather Demetrios to work through writing strategies and talk about the importance of these heartfelt stories for kids and teens. 

Charles Waters and Irene Latham lead our first-ever National Poetry Month Celebration showcasing their NEW poetry collection for children, IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY. Special guests join for a reading and discussion.

Our first HFGather of the year focused on celebrating our scholarship program and answering questions. With panelists Alison Green Myers, Nancy So Miller, Trisha Elam Walker, Hoda Elmasry and Darla Himeles.

Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 4. 

Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 3. 

Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. Here is session 2. 

Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 1. 

Join authors Pam Courtney, Andrea Loney, and Crystal Allen as they discuss one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. This impassioned #HFGather will explore the power of storytelling to inspire meaningful change for our future. Through this conversation, we hope to connect ways that children’s books can offer a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between social justice, racial equity, and caring for our planet.

Our children are grappling with pollution and climate-related disasters, stories can help them find hope in their world. Our storytellers will share their personal experiences and offer insight into considerations other storytellers may make, especially when it comes to the many ways in which communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change, and how it is all of our responsibilities to support our children in creating a safe and more equitable planet!

The Highlights Foundation is proud to learn from and work alongside Knology to amplify Black Storytellers in STEM. BlackRep4Kids is a National Science Foundation-funded project led by Knology, in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, the National Black Child Development Institute, and the Association of Children’s Museums. The project brings together Black researchers and practitioners from a variety of fields (including climate science, developmental psychology, informal learning, and children’s media) to collaboratively develop methods and strategies for creating children’s climate media that helps Black families and their children discuss, prepare for, and respond to a multitude of environmental threats.

Valerie Bolling, Jack Wong, Lucy Ruth Cummins and Emily Joof kicked off summer by sharing four picture books about swimming; revealing the story behind their stories, and have a conversation about representing diversity in picture books.