Young 'Time-Traveler' Meets State Governor, Presents Photo-Book of His Journey Through American History

March 09, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Entertainment News
Olympia, WA - Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire saw photographs depicting Anthony, a Seattle-area boy, in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong, and on Normandy beach on D-Day. The photographs are part of a unique American history book, presented as a gift to the Governor at the state capitol from author Michael Class, and his son, Anthony.

The museum-quality book took four years to produce. Class used advanced digital photography to realistically place his son in nearly a hundred famous historical photographs. The result: It looks like Anthony really did meet Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, Charles Lindbergh, and Audie Murphy. The Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com, displays some of the book’s amazing photographs.

"I am in the pictures because it makes learning history fun," says Anthony, the time-traveler. "I told Governor Gregoire that more American history should be taught in our schools: It's my favorite subject."

Class, a retired dot-com executive, aims to transform the way American history is taught. Class says his new publishing company, Magic Picture Frame Studio, "is dedicated to telling the stories of the past to the children of today in exciting new ways." Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, recommended for young adults in grades 6 – 12, is the company's first release.

"The storyline is fictional, but the history is authentic," says Class.

Class spoke with relatives of famous scientists and inventors, Holocaust survivors, award-winning biographers, and others who could help him ensure that the facts of the book were both accurate and vivid. Historical accuracy rules: Even Anthony’s conversations with America’s heroes are based on things they really said.

Class designed the book to help parents and teachers. The book includes recommendations for more than a thousand books, movies, songs, and places to visit - exciting additions to a formal history curriculum.

Did Governor Gregoire like this new approach to teaching American history? “I think she liked it a lot,” reports Anthony.

Anthony’s sister, Angela, also plays a role in the book: that of the skeptical older sister. “At first, I don’t believe Anthony when he talks about his trip into America’s past,” she explains. “But, I plan to do some time traveling of my own in the next book.”

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame (hardcover, 225 pages, $35) is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, by calling toll-free 1-800-247-6553, and on Amazon.com.

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Contact: Michael S. Class, 425-222-7562, class@MagicPictureFrame.com, or Maryann Karinch (publicist), 970-577-8500, maryann@karinch.com.