But all it took were hysterical radioactive accusations of “homophobia” for the magazine to fold. Initially, the editors resisted the call to capitulate because they believed “that parents know best” when to introduce such topics to their kids. In 2017, after being mau-mau-ed by left-wing alphabet activists on Facebook who wanted pro-gay propaganda included in the magazine’s special edition for children two years old and under, Highlights featured a cartoon with a same-sex male couple and two children packing their wagon for a family trip. Parents could trust that their authority would not be mocked or values undermined. Its side lessons on right and wrong were unobjectionable (Hey, did you see Goofus refuse to hold the door open for his grandma? Rude!). Most importantly, the 44-page booklet of silliness was a protected space from partisan political pollution. Highlights was also founded as an advertising-free sanctuary from incessant commercialization by sugary cereal companies, Big Pharma, toymakers, and other promotional predators. Depictions of traditional nuclear families were normal-and normality was celebrated, not shunned. In its early days, editors incorporated Bible stories without controversy or backlash. Highlights became an American tradition by respecting and inculcating tradition. Highlights delivered its billionth copy to a Texas schoolgirl in 2006 and marked its 75th anniversary last summer with publication reach in more than 40 countries. (Puh-lease, Mom, please don’t forget the googly-eyes.)įeeling nostalgic? You’re not alone. Raise your hand if you memorized the knock-knock jokes, giggled at “Goofus and Gallant” and begged your mom to buy pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks for the magazine’s craft projects.

Who can forget spending hours hunting down the cleverly camouflaged objects in “Hidden Pictures”? (Dang it, where was that boomerang?)ĭid you sit outside in the summer sunshine like seven-year-old me, unplugged and care-free, poring over the nonsensical scenes in the colorful “What’s Wrong?” artwork puzzle on the back cover of your well-worn copy of the magazine? (Wait, how did you miss the dog riding the bicycle backward!) Its slogan was “fun with a purpose.” Long before the advent of toxic social media and Silicon Valley, way back before kids were obsessing over “likes” and “views” of self-indulgent selfies of themselves making Kardashian duck faces in their bathrooms and gyrating like Las Vegas pole-dancers in their bedrooms for TikTok, grade-school readers had healthy addictions to the wholesome trademark features of Highlights. Highlights became a staple in generations of playful and curious youngsters’ lives.

The venerable American publication was established in 1946 by an enterprising married couple devoted to improving elementary education. Do you remember Highlights, the ubiquitous children’s magazine that you’d devour at the dentist’s office? If you were lucky, you’d wait for the mailman to deliver a fresh edition to your home at the beginning of every month.

Goofus and gallant