An Invitation to Read
By Tiffany Hoffman
The Highlights® editors look at poems as an invitation to read.
"We want kids to see reading as something to enjoy—a treat," says Coordinating Editor Kim Griswell, who selects verses for page 5 of the magazine each month. "Poetry can be a great way to invite kids to read. For Highlights, we choose the very best poetry—poems that will make kids think, feel, question, and wonder."
The way poets use language invites kids to read.
"Poets play with words in a lot of ways," Griswell says. "They paint word pictures that startle you or make you laugh. In 'Snowman Sniffles' on page 5 in the February 2007 issue, the poet uses surprising images to catch the reader’s attention. The line 'a little, sad late-season sniff dried by the spring wind's handkerchief ' creates an image in a reader’s mind—one that's fresh and new and full of wonder."
Rhyme and rhythm also invite readers into poems. Kids love to anticipate the ends of lines, and they enjoy the music of poetic language. Poems are fun to read more than once. As kids read again and again, they become more fluent readers.
Illustrations for poetry also play a big role in the reader's enjoyment.
"Very often, it's the art that gets kids to stop and enjoy the words," Griswell says.
"When Waffles Are Awful" on page 7 in the February 2007 issue connects to kids through their tummies. But before kids begin to chew on the words, the illustration of a mountain of waffles topped with whipped cream and berries grabs their attention.
"You can't look at that illustration without wanting to sink your teeth into those waffles," Griswell says. "The art gets readers to stop on that page and enjoy the poem."
When kids stop to read poetry, it often makes a lasting impression.
"We get requests from adults to find poems they remember reading in Highlights when they were children," Griswell says. "People fondly remember a lot of different things, but poetry can stay in the mind and heart for a lifetime."
