A Quick Jolt of Inspiration to Remind Us Why We Do This (Kids) and a Summer Camp Reunion to Remind Us How We Do It (Together)
Release Date: 05/10/2023
#HFGather: Writing for and Writing WITH Kids
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Our stories help kids see themselves in the world—and if we’re lucky, spark a lifelong love of reading. For many stories, the love of reading ignites another skill— writing! In many classrooms, books serve to nurture readers and young writers. Join us for our next free HFGather exploring what it means to write with kids, and why discovering how to write with kids is an important skill for those who write for kids! Our panelists include Diana Ma and Valerie Bolling who, using their educational backgrounds, have crafted pedagogical books about...
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The Resilient Writer: Writing Through Trauma and Grief
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
We bring much of ourselves to our work—for the better, many would agree—especially when writing for kids and teens. But, how do we do this work without harm to ourselves? How do we nurture our wounds, while providing honesty and hope to our readers? For this special #HFGather, join Heather Demetrios to work through writing strategies and talk about the importance of these heartfelt stories for kids and teens.
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Celebrating National Poetry Month with Poets!
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Charles Waters and Irene Latham lead our first-ever National Poetry Month Celebration showcasing their NEW poetry collection for children, IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY. Special guests join for a reading and discussion.
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2025 Scholarship Celebration and Information Session
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Our first HFGather of the year focused on celebrating our scholarship program and answering questions. With panelists Alison Green Myers, Nancy So Miller, Trisha Elam Walker, Hoda Elmasry and Darla Himeles.
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Patti Gauch, Session 4
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 4.
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Patti Gauch, Session 3
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 3.
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Patti Gauch, Session 2
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. Here is session 2.
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Patti Gauch, Session 1
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 1.
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Writing about Climate Change for Kids: Amplifying Black Voices for Social Justice, Racial Equity, and Caring for Our Planet
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Join authors Pam Courtney, Andrea Loney, and Crystal Allen as they discuss one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. This impassioned #HFGather will explore the power of storytelling to inspire meaningful change for our future. Through this conversation, we hope to connect ways that children’s books can offer a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between social justice, racial equity, and caring for our planet. Our children are grappling with pollution and climate-related disasters, stories can help them find hope in their world. Our storytellers will...
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Here Comes Summer–Reading, Swimming and Gathering
Gather, a Kidlit Podcast
Valerie Bolling, Jack Wong, Lucy Ruth Cummins and Emily Joof kicked off summer by sharing four picture books about swimming; revealing the story behind their stories, and have a conversation about representing diversity in picture books.
info_outlineA Jolt of Inspiration, Indeed!
Program Director Alison Green Myers opened this #HFGather with an inspiring mini-keynote celebrating this creative life, with echoes back to the Highlights Foundation’s first summer writers’ workshop at the Chautauqua Institution and reflections on moving the summer camp experience to the Barn at Boyds Mills.
First, the History: “Rich and Righteous Lectures”
Alison said that creative magic (in the form of rich and righteous lectures, generous mentorship, and community) continues in our Summer Camps today.
A Celebration of How We Do This Together with 3 Camp Alums
After this powerful beginning, Highlights Foundation Marketing Director Christina Ousouljoglou took over. She explained how while inspiration can remind of us why we do this hard job of creating for kids, being together is practically how we get through the ups and downs of this industry (and this life).
She then introduced three panelists: Daria Peoples, Harlan DeChamps and Judie Offerdahl. All three are alums of Summer Camp, and shared their experiences of togetherness with the group: mentorship, community, and support–all gleaned from Summer Camp and beyond.