Tell Your Story: Poetry

Good poetry for children connects them with their emotions, serves as a bridge between cultures, promotes language learning, helps them learn to read and enriches the school curriculum.

Poetry contains emotionally charged words, uses only a few words to say a great deal, is melodic – sings as it says, contains rhythm repetition and rhyme, captures the essence of a concept, has layers of meaning, and is the natural language of childhood.

Maybe you’d like to begin writing poetry for children, or you have some poems and want to learn more about how to get them+ published. Whichever it is, we believe your poems can inspire children, and we’d love to help.

Workshops for Poets

Summer Camp in Fiction: Explore, Play, and Inspire

Summer Camp in Fiction: Explore, Play, and Inspire

Starts: July 7, 2023

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall)

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall)

Starts: October 4, 2023

Craft & Heart of Writing Poetry for Children

Craft & Heart of Writing Poetry for Children

Starts: October 28, 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."

Poetry Resources

Donna Janell Bowman
#HFGather: A Poetry Chat

with Nikki Grimes and Sarah Aronson

Magic
The Magic of Metaphor

by Georgia Heard & Rebecca Kai Dotlich

A Jar of Tiny Stars
Writing Poetry for Children

by Bernice Cullinan

Authors Take Action: Poetry Prompts for Climate Change

Authors Take Action: Poetry Prompts for Climate Change

Poetry: How Do I Sell Thee? Let Me Count the Ways.

Poetry: How Do I Sell Thee? Let Me Count the Ways.

3 Treasures I Cherish from The Highlights Foundation Poetry Workshops

3 Treasures I Cherish from The Highlights Foundation Poetry Workshops

Writing Poetry for Children: How to Begin, How to Get Published

Writing Poetry for Children: How to Begin, How to Get Published

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

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

Sara Gómez Woolley, 2022 Resident Artist: #WhatIFound @HighlightsFound

Sara Gómez Woolley, 2022 Resident Artist: #WhatIFound @HighlightsFound

Uplifting Indigenous Storytellers on #GivingTuesday

Uplifting Indigenous Storytellers on #GivingTuesday

Workshops for Writers & Illustrators

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

New to the Highlights Foundation? Try these:

The Crash Course | 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

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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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