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

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Explore Our Essential Conversations Workshops

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

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Writing About Trauma and Grief for Kids

an #HFGather

rainbow
Pride Celebration of Stories

by Our Faculty

Intersectionality
Intersection-ality in Kidlit: a Definition

by Our Faculty

A webinar screen shot with Christine French Cully, George Brown, and Alison Green Myers
Hispanic or Latinx? How Evolving Language Impacts Kids

by Alex Villasante

cover of Alejandria Fights Back
How Stories Can Create Impact and Empowerment for Kids

an #HFGather

Miranda Paul
Identity as Fairy Dust

by Linda Epstein

16 Muslim Storytellers Selected for Two-Year Children’s Literature Fellowship Program

16 Muslim Storytellers Selected for Two-Year Children’s Literature Fellowship Program

Hispanic or Latinx? How Evolving Language Impacts Kids

Hispanic or Latinx? How Evolving Language Impacts Kids

#HFGather: How Stories Can Create Impact and Empowerment for Kids

#HFGather: How Stories Can Create Impact and Empowerment for Kids

#HFGather: Muslim Storytellers Fellowship

#HFGather: Muslim Storytellers Fellowship

See All Essential Conversations Blogs from Our Faculty

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Free Resources & Webinars
Equity & Inclusion Resources
Scholarships

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

These are your people, and this is your place

These are your people, and this is your place

From Scholarship to Workshop to Book with Traci Sorell

From Scholarship to Workshop to Book with Traci Sorell

Whole Novel Workshop Alum Wins Manuscript Award

Whole Novel Workshop Alum Wins Manuscript Award

Teresa Robeson on Her Passion for Writing Nonfiction

Teresa Robeson on Her Passion for Writing Nonfiction

See All Stories from Highlights Foundation Alumni

Workshops for Writers & Illustrators

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

New to the Highlights Foundation? Try these:

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

Upcoming Workshops

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.

Learn More About Visiting Our Campus

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Line drawing of the Barn at Boyds Mills

Our Mission in Action

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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.

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