Children's Books Online

"Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame" Offers Gift of Time Travel for Christmas

(PRWeb) November 20, 2006 -- Seattle author Michael S. Class has used advanced digital photography to place his 12-year-old son, Anthony, in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, in the laboratories of Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk and on Normandy beach on D-Day.

Father and son labored for nearly four years in their garage filled with props from an army surplus store, the garage walls covered with blue bed sheets. The result: It looks like Anthony really did meet Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, Charles Lindbergh and Audie Murphy. The book, "Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame," is available this Christmas at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, and on amazon.com. The Web site displays some of the book's amazing photographs.

"I wanted to capture the interest of today's kids," says Class, "by turning American history into a grand time travel adventure." "Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame" is recommended for young adults, Grade 6 to Grade 12+.

In the book, Anthony travels into America's past by stepping through a Magic Picture Frame on his bedroom wall. But, the book also provides a 'time machine' for its readers. It's a way for kids to see, hear and experience the things that Anthony did in the past: The book includes recommendations for 461 books, 595 movies, 217 songs and 155 places to visit, all keyed to the subjects of each chapter. The book is a Christmas gift that will entertain and educate for many years to come.

"Because of all these resources, the magic of this book doesn't end with the last page. There are an almost infinite number of opportunities to further explore these memorable events," writes Joyce Handzo, who gave the book a five-star review in Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book, the online magazine and reading resource for kids, teachers, librarians and parents.

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin agrees: "The book's vivid narrative and captivating photographs transported me through space and time. I felt that I was once again standing on the surface of the Moon in 1969. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame tells it like it really was in America's early space program -- the adventure, the risks and the rewards. I almost believe that Anthony was there! I think that parents and teachers will appreciate the inspiring message this unique history book holds for America's next generation. I recommend this book to all young Americans, may they take us to the stars and beyond."

Class included many subtle touches to convince his readers that Anthony "was really there." Anthony knows things that only an eyewitness to history would know: he sees Buzz Aldrin leave Soviet cosmonaut medals on the moon. Who do the cosmonaut medals belong to? Why did Buzz Aldrin bring them to the moon?

"You'll have to read the book to find out," says Anthony, the time-traveler.

The book's inspiring message comes from the moral lessons included in each chapter -- lessons that make the book a Christmas gift to be treasured for life. The chapter about Apollo 11 is really about courage and goal-setting. The chapter about Lindbergh's flight is really about choosing one's destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is one of a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about business and the benefits of hard work. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk is really about dedicating one's life to a higher purpose. Anthony's observation of D-Day and the liberation of the death camps during the Holocaust is a testament to the reality of evil and the need to fight it. When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island, it's really a story about what it means to be an American.

"The author smoothly incorporates moral lessons into the historical events," explains Handzo in her five-star review, "providing young readers with a compass for today's culture. However, the messages are never preachy; rather, they offer meaningful insights that can positively impact our world."

Class also designed the book to help parents and teachers. Years of meticulous research went into the book: Class spoke with relatives of famous scientists and inventors, Holocaust survivors, award-winning biographers and others to ensure that the facts of the book were both accurate and vivid. Historical accuracy rules every page: even Anthony's conversations with the people of the past are based on things they really said, all properly footnoted. The lists of books, movies, music and places to visit are built-in curriculum aids. The author's Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com, offers a fun final exam.

"Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame" was named "Outstanding Book of the Year" and "Most Original Concept of 2006" by Independent Publisher; "Reviewers Choice" by Midwest Book Review; and "Editor's Pick" by Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling Online. Nationally syndicated talk-show host Michael Medved calls the book "entertaining and educational."

"Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame" (hardcover, 225 pages, $25.00) is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, by calling toll-free 1-800-247-6553, at select bookstores, and on www.amazon.com.

Joyce Handzo's complete book review can be found at www.curledupkids.com and www.MagicPictureFrame.com.

Note to editors and book reviewers: Author and son are available for interviews. Photographs and review copies are available.

Contact: Michael Class, 425-890-4894

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