Dr. Matthew Mehan on Compiling an American Book of Fables

“Something old, something new, something red white and blue.” The American Book of Fables is Dr. Matthew Mehan and artist John Folley’s latest children’s book—or, rather, family book—presented for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It offers a delightful education in civics, geography, history, and love of country by combining the American founding documents, short poetry, new and ancient fables, and whimsical oil paintings all mapped to the American landscape. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Mehan shares the ideas behind the book’s creation and what he hopes “littles, middles, and bigs” can all come to appreciate through a layered work like this. Chapters: 3:01 Picture books and the role of the poet 8:21 A family book for littles, middles, and bigs 13:18 What’s in the book 18:19 Fables: training your “good mother wit” 23:46 Hugh Manatee and humanity 28:33 John Folley’s illustrations 30:55 The American city 34:49 The current discourse on duty 36:47 Presenting founding documents to kids 41:37 Celebrate America250 as a family 48:26 Despair and hope 56:00 Book launch events 58:45 Excerpt: “American Morning”