The Perfect Children’s Book for America 250
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, 'The American Book of Fables' by Matthew Mehan and illustrated by John Folley offers a reflective and multi-generational celebration of American heritage. The book is structured around 13 regions of the country, with content tailored for children, middle readers, and adults, all connected by themes from the Declaration of Independence. Rather than a book to be read quickly, it is designed to be savored over time, inviting families to engage with American history and values through stories, fables, and art.
- ▪The book is divided into 13 regions of the United States, each introduced with a passage from the Declaration of Independence.
- ▪Content is tailored for three audiences: 'Littles' receive rhymes, 'Middles' get fables, and 'Bigs' are offered deeper literary and historical material.
- ▪Matthew Mehan is associate dean at Hillsdale College’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government and the father of a large family, which informs his multi-generational approach.
- ▪John Folley’s illustrations use oil, watercolor, and pen-and-ink, contributing warmth and depth without condescension.
- ▪The book is intended to be revisited over time, serving as a conversational and educational resource for families.
- ▪The book is 395 pages long and blends American traditions with broader themes from human civilization.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home – American Heritage News – The Perfect Children’s Book for America 250 opinion The Perfect Children’s Book for America 250 Andrea Picciotti-Bayer • May 17, 2026 Print A boy runs among flags on Sept. 10, 2021, in Malibu, California. (David McNew/Getty Images) (function(){var t=document.querySelector(".wp-block-kadence-dynamichtml"),s=document.currentScript.previousElementSibling;if(t&&s){if("prepend"==="before_element")t.parentNode.insertBefore(s,t);else if("prepend"==="after_element")t.parentNode.insertBefore(s,t.nextSibling);else if("prepend"==="prepend"||"prepend"==="inside_first_child")t.insertBefore(s,t.firstChild);else t.appendChild(s);}})(); As our nation marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, we are offered many occasions to commemorate, debate, and reassess.
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