Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame Named Most Unique Product of the Year; Top Ten Children's Book of 2007

Seattle, WA - Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, by Seattle author Michael S. Class, had previously won Parent-to-Parent's Adding Wisdom Award in two categories: Best Children's Books, and Best Educational Books. Now, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame has won one of Parent-to-Parent's most prestigious awards: The Most Unique Product of 2007. Parent-to-Parent also named the unique American history book as one of the Top Ten Children's Books of 2007. All of the awards honor products of outstanding quality that support family values. The book was judged by parents and teachers: The award program's "family testers" are real families who test the products.

"Selecting the BEST OF and TOP products and books for the whole year is a very hard and emotional task for the Adding Wisdom Award team," says Jodie Lynn, the syndicated parenting/health expert, and the CEO/founder of www.AddingWisdomAward.com. "However, choosing only one winner for the MOST UNIQUE product is even more of a nail-biting experience. We have so many deserving and wonderful individuals who apply for this amazing award; we'd like to give it to many. But, there can only be one in this prestigious category. We are very happy to announce that Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, by Michael Class, is THE winner for 2007. The quality, educational value, creativity, and beautiful illustrations of this book will be cherished by readers for years to come. The unique story that Anthony shares with his audience is probably the most inspirational turn of modern-day techniques utilized in introducing American heroes and history, while still embracing the printed word. History has never been so intriguing…A MUST HAVE!"

What makes Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame "a must have," and why is this American history book so exciting? Because the author's real-life son, twelve-year-old Anthony, time-travels into the great events of the 20th Century! Advanced digital photography places 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. Anthony "meets" and "talks with" Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, Charles Lindbergh, Audie Murphy, and many others. Historical accuracy rules every page of Anthony's adventure in time: Anthony’s conversations with America’s heroes are based on things they really said.

The Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com, displays some of the book's amazing photographs.

"I am thrilled that Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame has won Parent-to-Parent's awards and recognition," says Class. "Creating the book was a challenge, but I had a dream: to let the heroes of America's past speak directly to the children of today. To capture the interest of today's kids, I took a unique photographic approach. But, I also designed the book to help parents and teachers by including recommendations for hundreds of books, movies, music, and places to visit. I am honored to be recognized for this new approach. I hope Anthony's story will inspire young Americans to lead full, productive, and purposeful lives."

Class recommends his book for young adults, Grade 6 to Grade 12.

Anthony's adventures in history come with moral lessons that support traditional American family values. The chapter about Lindbergh’s flight is really about choosing one’s destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is really about living a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about the benefits of business leadership and hard work. The story of Apollo 11 is about wonder, taking risks, and courage. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk is really about dedicating one’s life to a higher purpose. When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island, it’s really a story about what it means to be an American. 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.

"Every kid should read this book," says Anthony, the time-traveler.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame was named Outstanding Book of the Year by Independent Publisher (2006); awarded the Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award for Excellent Books (2007); is a celebrated winner of an iParenting Media Award for Excellent Products (2007), was named Reviewers Choice by Midwest Book Review (2006); and garnered Editor's Pick by Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling Online (2006). Nationally syndicated talk-show host Michael Medved calls the book "entertaining and educational." Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin says "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."

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.

Amazon link: www.magicpictureframe.com/buythebook.html

Watch the Magic Picture Frame video: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/home/watchthevideo.html

Take Anthony's History Test: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/beyondthestory/anthonyshistorytest.html

Read Book Reviews: www.magicpictureframe.com/reviews.html

The Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award is the only award program to be honored by Disney.com and PBS Kids/TV. Jodie Lynn authored the parenting book, Mom CEO: Chief Everything Officer - Having, Doing and Surviving It All!

Note to editors and book reviewers: Michael Class and Anthony are available for interviews. Photographs and review copies of the book are available.

Contact: Michael Class, class@MagicPictureFrame.com, Magic Picture Frame Studio, P.O. Box 2603, Issaquah, WA 98027-0119.