Tell Your Story: Essential Conversations

Children’s books that reflect the richness of the human experience through diversity, inclusion, and access are catalysts for change.   

We developed our Essential Conversations programming to amplify the need and call for more diverse, inclusive, and accessible books.

We want to provide craft, education, and community-building for creatives and professionals in and around the children’s book industry.

Join us in these essential conversations, for professional development opportunities and for in-community courses and retreats.

Join Us For Essential Conversations: Craft and Community

Muslim Storytellers: A Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

Muslim Storytellers: A Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

Starts: October 17, 2023

Disability Representation in Books for Kids: A Two-Night Mini

Disability Representation in Books for Kids: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: October 23, 2023

Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat

Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat

Starts: November 2, 2023

Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Experience for Creatives

Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Experience for Creatives

Starts: November 2, 2023

2023 Jewish Symposium: Writing Jewish Novels, Finding Jewish Joy

2023 Jewish Symposium: Writing Jewish Novels, Finding Jewish Joy

Starts: November 12, 2023

Inspiring Children Through Story

“My picture book ... deals with parents separating. One little boy, who parents recently divorced, went to bed with [it] many nights. This deeply moved me to know this picture book helped this little boy.

"I tutor 2nd grade reluctant readers. My understanding of picture book structure and prose allows me to help them learn more than words. Rather than just read the story, we talk about it."

"You mean I get to keep this book forever?"

…Spoken by a child in tears who was gifted with one of my books at a school visit and had never owned a book before.

"When I hear kids giggle while I’m reading [my book] I feel like I’ve done the job I intended to do."

Resources for essential conversations

Podcast: Delia Ruiz and Alex Villasante

Podcast: Delia Ruiz and Alex Villasante

Art Installation Celebrates Muslim Voices, a Highlights Foundation Scholarship Recipient, and a Growing Community of Storytellers

Art Installation Celebrates Muslim Voices, a Highlights Foundation Scholarship Recipient, and a Growing Community of Storytellers

Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence: Support Asian American Voices!

Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence: Support Asian American Voices!

Khadijah VanBrakle Announces Book Deal

Khadijah VanBrakle Announces Book Deal

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

Celebration Station: Spring 2023

Celebration Station: Spring 2023

Celebrating Hanh Bui’s Book Birthday!

Celebrating Hanh Bui’s Book Birthday!

From Just Do It to Just Did It!

From Just Do It to Just Did It!

Congratulations to the 2023 ALA Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2023 ALA Award Winners

Workshops for Writers & Illustrators

> Online
> In-Person
> On-Demand (Self-Paced Online)

New to the Highlights Foundation? Try these:

About Children's Publishing | The Whole Novel Workshop | Summer Camp

Questions?

Need help deciding on a workshop?  Ask an ambassador!

Visiting Our Campus

Our campus (The Barn at Boyds Mills) is tucked away in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  It's a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, but worlds away from everyday life.

Line drawing of the Barn at Boyds Mills

Our Mission in Action

Scholarships
Equity & Inclusion in Kidlit
Sustainability

The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.

For Businesses & Organizations

Fund a Scholarship
Partner with Us