Highlights High Five
Questions with Editor-in-Chief Chris Clark
1. What do you consider the single most important achievement your magazine has accomplished in today's marketplace?
It has focused attention on the importance of the parent-child bond in early literacy, making it easy for parents or grandparents to embrace their role as their child's "first teacher"and celebrate early childhood.
2. Looking back, what was the most important hurdle you were able to overcome?
It took courage to commit to preschool-age children (pre-readers) as a magazine audience, but we felt that we could contribute to the emotional, social, physical and intellectual development of young children through a magazine.
3. What was the biggest pleasant surprise? One surprise has been the sheer number of unsolicited testimonials from parents and grandparents who say that this is the magazine they've been waiting for. Another wonderful surprise has been the tremendous support of early childhood educators. Teachers are jumping at the opportunity to subscribe to High Five for use in their classrooms.
4. What is the biggest challenge you are facing today?
We hope that families will renew their subscriptions to High Five,and, when they outgrow it, move up to Highlights magazine, for older children. Young children, however, grow and develop at their own pace. Our biggest challenge is figuring out how to help parents decide which magazine is right for their ever-developing child.
5. Imagine you have a magic wand and you can strike the magazine and make it human? Describe that human being.
Highlights High Five personified is a warm, enthusiastic, creative caregiver who believes that children are the world's most important people and is devoted to enriching their lives.
6. The number of new magazine launches has been on a steady increase. What advice do you offer to someone wanting to start a new magazine?
Be passionate about both your mission and your audience.
7. Finish this sentence: In 2011, your magazine will be…
in homes, libraries, and early-childhood classrooms all across this country and beyond our borders. To those dedicated to helping children become their best selves-caring, curious, creative, and confident-it will be considered an invaluable resource.
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