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
![PJ Library: Picture Book Summer Camp](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pj-library-400x284.jpg)
PJ Library: Picture Book Summer Camp
Starts: March 31, 2024
![Writing About Mental Health for MG and YA Readers: A Two-Night Mini](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/line-editing-400x284.jpg)
Writing About Mental Health for MG and YA Readers: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: April 2, 2024
![Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers: A Working In-Community Retreat for Storytellers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers: A Working In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: April 11, 2024
![Asian and Asian American Voices: An In-Community Retreat](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sold-out-400x284.jpg)
Asian and Asian American Voices: An In-Community Retreat
Starts: May 2, 2024
![Jewish Symposium: An In-Community Gathering for Jewish Writers and Illustrators](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Jewish Symposium: An In-Community Gathering for Jewish Writers and Illustrators
Starts: May 5, 2024
![Disability Representation in Picture Book Illustration: A Two-Night Mini](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Website-course-graphics-400x284.png)
Disability Representation in Picture Book Illustration: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: May 7, 2024
![Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pride-flag-featured-image-400x284.jpg)
Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers
Starts: May 14, 2024
![Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pride-flag-featured-image-400x284.jpg)
Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers
Starts: June 11, 2024
![Black Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Black Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: July 7, 2024
![Neurodiverse Writers and Illustrators: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Neurodiverse Writers and Illustrators: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: August 8, 2024
![Native Creatives: An In-Community Retreat](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Native Creatives: An In-Community Retreat
Starts: August 21, 2024
![Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: October 27, 2024
![Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers](https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/in-community-retreat-feat-image-400x284.jpg)
Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Starts: October 31, 2024
Inspiring Children Through Story
Resources for essential conversations
Writing About Trauma and Grief for Kids
an #HFGather
Pride Celebration of Stories
by Our Faculty
Intersection-ality in Kidlit: a Definition
by Our Faculty
Hispanic or Latinx? How Evolving Language Impacts Kids
by Alex Villasante
Identity as Fairy Dust
by Linda Epstein