Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame: History in the Making Excerpts From an Article by Barbara Keer L.A. Splash Magazine Splash Magazines Worldwide www.lasplash.com January 19, 2006 Michael Class would be a very happy man if he got “a letter from a 15-year-old saying they liked the book so much they went on to learn…themselves”. Hoping to interest young people in history founded a new publishing company, “Magic Picture Frame Studio”, and developed a new approach to presenting history. The result is a book in which his son, Anthony, appears in historically famous pictures, and presents stories as he interacts with famous historical figures and experiences historical events in their time. This happens when Anthony walks through the picture frame in his bedroom. Michael Class believes, “The heroes of the past have something important to tell us: The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose, and doing the right thing always matters” Frances Syzmanski, has been teaching History in the Chicago Public Schools for 41 years. She has seen many changes during these years. For example, it was taught as time sequenced events for many years. It changed to the teaching of themes not related in time but in ideas. Teachers had input in the selection of textbooks, the degree of selection varying from school to school. Currently, in Chicago, History is to be taught in time sequence. Each state has its own guidelines and standards. Textbooks are often chosen for an entire school but supplemental books can be selected as a classroom library. Frances believes that Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame could be useful for special assignments. The interactive features of the book are appealing and part of today’s trend. The 82 pictures in the book took about one week each to accomplish and the book was four years in the making. Getting quotes from historical figures and, moreover, the permission to use them, made up a bulk of the book’s production. Additional features in the book include: a website for the final exam, material for moral lessons and critical thinking and a final section that lists hundreds of items for each chapter, i.e.: books, movies, music and places to visit. Each chapter also contains an additional idea, such as the Lindberg Flight chapter focuses on perseverance and the Edison chapter is really about business, etc. Some intended readers of Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame are sixth grader Adam and his younger brother, Benjamin, residents of a Los Angeles suburb, who took time to explore and review the book. Benjamin thinks the book makes history more fun. To him, it reads more like a fiction book than a typical history book. Adults seem to find Anthony’s pictures and the presentations interesting as it brings them back to earlier days. New Year's Resolutions With "Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame"   Article by Barbara Keer L.A. Splash Magazine Splash Magazines Worldwide www.lasplash.com January 1, 2006 While there is always an abundance of resolutions for each New Year, the real difficulty is keeping them. Some powerful words of advice from a new book, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, by Michael S. Class, might help to shape your best kept resolutions for 2006. Resolve to explore-to find out what life has to offer. Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronaut: "To go places and to do things that have never been done before-that's what life is all about." (From Chapter 2: The Men on the Moon) Resolve to follow your plan-one step at a time. Charles Lindbergh, pilot of the Spirit of St. Louis: "The important thing is to start; to lay a plan, and then follow it step by step no matter how small or large each one by itself may seem." (From Chapter 4: Steps Across the Atlantic) Resolve to watch out for opportunity-and then take advantage of it. Thomas Edison, inventor and businessman: "Opportunity is missed by most people, because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." (From Chapter 5: The Business of Genius)   Resolve to hurry up and create your own good luck. Lou Gehrig, baseball player: "My success came from one word-hustle." (From Chapter 7: The Luckiest Man)   Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, on amazon.com, at select bookstores, and by calling toll-free: 1-800-247-6553. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame: The History Book with a Message for Today's Young Americans