Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

Blogging is so much fun to me for many reasons, but a huge part of what makes it so appealing is the sense of community that happens when I receive responses from readers and other bloggers. Today I posted an article about some scary things happening at one school and I've received a great deal of positive email and a few comments already.

One of the comments comes from Michael Class who is the author of Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame. Obviously I haven't had a chance to actually read the book (I've only just heard of it a few minutes ago), but I love the concept. Here's a quote from the web site:

ANTHONY AND THE MAGIC PICTURE FRAME presents real American history in an exciting new way! Amazing photographs and Anthony's "I-was-there" narration turn the stories of the past into action-packed thrilling adventures!

But it's all real American history that is very, very accurately told. Years of research went into every fact-filled chapter. The photographs are real. Even the conversations Anthony has with the people of the past are real: they don't say anything they didn't actually say! Everything is footnoted and properly sourced.

The adventure begins when kids open the book and see Anthony in the famous historical photos. Anthony is inviting them to join him on the journey through time! Then, Anthony tells his story in the first person, minute-by-minute, just like a real adventure unfolding in real time. Anthony describes what he's seeing, what he's feeling, and what he's doing. Young readers quickly become convinced that Anthony was really there!

Best of all, kids can go beyond Anthony's story and have their own adventures in the past! The book offers a way to see, hear, and experience the things that Anthony did in the past. For each chapter, the book provides lists containing hundreds of books, movies, music, and places to visit. These "to do" lists are like a real time machine kids can use to experience the past! The lists are so extensive and so much fun - kids will be on a journey of discovery and learning for many years to come!