Highlights' Wish List

If you've read much of this blog, you'll know that I'm a fan of Highlights for Children. They just put out their latest "wish list" for freelance children's writers. If you're looking for ideas of what to write, here's an excellent place to start:

HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN Current NeedsWinter 2008-2009

NONFICTION CATEGORIES

Nonfiction for Younger Readers (Ages 4 to 8) up to 500 words, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate Editor

All articles should have a clear focus and relevance to young kids.

• First-person accounts of fieldwork


• Photo essays


• Arts stories


• Ancient history


• High-interest animals


• Details from urban life (workers, transportation, etc.)


• Nature

Science, 800 words (two-page features), 400 words (one-page features), 50 words (activities) Andy Boyles, Science Editor

• Features about kids involved in science


• Scientists studying high-interest animals in their natural habitats


• Short, quick, easy, fun science activities

History/World Cultures, up to 800 words, Carolyn Yoder, Senior Editor

• Fun, humorous, kid-friendly articles


• Presidential (NOT Washington and Lincoln) and patriotic pieces


• Need anecdotal articles, rather than broad interviews


• American holidays, specifically Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, and little-known holidays


• World-cultures pieces. ALL COUNTRIES. We want intimate snapshots of life in another country.

One-page Activities of all kinds, up to 300 words, Linda Rose, Assistant Editor
We prefer activities that require neither parental supervision nor materials kids aren't likely to have handy.

• Indoor and outdoor games that involve exercise, creativity, and/or humor


• Activities and games that kids can do whether they're on their own or with others


• Projects that will result in a new hobby or skill and/or a quality finished product


• Magic tricks

Short Puzzles, Games, Recipes, and Activities, Manuscript Submissions

• Art activities


• World-cultures activities


• History and geography puzzles


• Logic puzzles


• Math puzzles


• Codes


• Any activities that easily lend themselves to strong visuals are a huge plus!

Crafts, Manuscript Submissions; please send a photo or sample of the craft.

• World-cultures crafts (general or holiday-specific)


• Crafts that encourage play (musical instruments, costumes, etc.)


• Games


• Gifts


• Crafts for all holidays except Valentine's Day

Send magazine submissions toHighlights for Children803 Church StreetHonesdale, PA 18431

PUZZLEMANIA
Puzzlemania, our puzzle book club for children ages 6—10, is in need of word puzzles—crosswords, word searches, logic puzzles, word scrambles, and codes. For detailed submissions guidelines, visit http://tracking.highlights.com/t?r=2&c=29464&l=1079&ctl=1E1CA:7EA46CD7F7E5CAE773355AD42202C436&. Go to About Us/Contributor Guidelines/Puzzles. Send puzzle submissions to hfcpuzzlemania@gmail.com.