My sales to Highlights were poems, with my photographs. I usually write non-fiction, but also some fiction and poetry, and am also a photographer. It isn't unusal to wait a long time for something to appear in Highlights. The Carus Group is the same. For one non-fiction article in Cricket I waited four years, and am now waiting on one for Ladybug (also a poem). Four years was my longest wait. I know authors who have waited much longer. And of course, with the Carus Group, you don't get paid until after publication, and my understanding is they are taking up to six months.
It is good that Highlights pays right away, but I sure would love to have them publish mine soon!
Patience is the key to being an author, but easier said than done.
Shirley Anne