"Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame is a tribute to how an interest in family history can fuel the imagination and lead to fascinating journeys through history and humanity. Author Michael S. Class admits that the book started with his own research into his family's history. An idea to digitally insert his son into old family photos and let his son "meet" his anscestors eventually evolved into a full-blown treatment of American history. Anthony travels back in time, popping up in famous pictures accompanied by information, facts, and quotes relevant to the time. This book is intended as a teaching tool for use with young adults, but it also offers stories from history appropriate for all ages, complete with detailed notes, recommendations of supplemental reading, music, and movies." Ancestry Magazine November / December 2005  .......... "Our family testers found Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame to be delightfully fun, incredibly educational and totally exciting. Until this book, American history has never been so intriguing as modern-day Anthony travels into the past to meet America's heroes and learns life's lessons. Michael Class has just pushed the envelope into a whole new division . . . it totally rocks!" Jodie Lynn Parent-toParent Adding Wisdom Award for 2007 Syndicated parenting/health expert, CEO/founder of www.AddingWisdomAward.com, and author of the parenting book, Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) - Having, Doing and Surviving It All! .......... "This book is fabulous. I was amazed at the pictures. My children were captivated by the pictures and content. What a wonderful way to teach the last 100 years or so to children. The pictures were truly our favorite part. The footnotes were an excellent addition. I feel honored to have read this book. I will definately encourage my friends to buy this book for their children. Anthony had you really believing he was there. Great work!" - iParenting Media Award Reviewer "I found myself unwittingly sucked into this book. Before I knew it, I had read multiple chapters within the first sitting and looked forward to more. I appreciated how the events of history are told from a more first person perspective because Anthony is "there" while it is happening. This allows the reader to put themselves "there" as well. The historical content is so well researched and documented as well. The way the information is presented is easy for kids to read and find more information on if they want to or are particularly interested in one topic/area through the footnotes and additional reading. If the footnote is not of interest, the reader can simply keep going and enjoy more of the story. The pictures definitely draw you into the story. The moral lessons/quotes throughout the book are also very thought provoking and set the tone for the chapter. I also took pause to appreciate the final lesson Anthony tells 'that the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.' A great summation and reason to capture and understand history." - iParenting Media Award Reviewer iParenting Media Awards for Excellent Products of 2007 www.iparentingmediaawards.com Opinions of the Judges .......... What a clever concept! There have been many time travel books, but using photos of Anthony "actually" in the places he visits - actually inserted into real historical photos - provides a wonderfully fresh angle. That the sights Anthony sees and the historical events he witnesses are so copiously backed up with footnotes is another nice touch. This book makes learning painless and lots of fun. The author's introduction with the reports of the appearing and disappearing Anthony is also clever and an interesting touch that kids should love. It's realistic how Anthony first finds out about the Magic Picture Frame, and then gets the courage to climb through. Anthony's narration of the story sounds just the way a real boy would recount them. There's also a nice sense of humor throughout - as in Anthony's crack about falling through the picture frame onto the surface of the moon being not a small step, but rather a giant leap. The history and real facts inserted in these and other scenes are wonderful ways for kids to learn. The amount of detail provided throughout all the stories is amazing. The skimpiness of Lindbergh's plane and the horrors of D-Day and the Holocaust are all too clear. Yet the good things - the successes of America's space program, Lou Gehrig's grace and goodness - are also made clear. The book's overall message - "do all the good that you can, for all the people that you can" - is lovely. This is a phenomenal book, chock full of billions of bits of history, trivia, facts, and information. This book would keep a young reader occupied for weeks, or longer! Writer's Digest 14th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards January 2007 Opinion of the Judges .......... The book is the story of Anthony, who has a mysterious picture frame that hangs in his room with the ability to transport him through time and space. It's a magical book that brings history to life. Each chapter is painstakingly researched. In a turbulent time, Anthony’s story serves as a reminder of the foundations of our country and what it has achieved through determination and a belief in the power of goodness. READ THE REVIEW: Magical Book Whitney Hallberg, Editor ForeWord Magazine Reviews of Good Books Independently Published .......... This book should be in every home. In addition to being a priceless collection of facts and photos, these pages offer a relevant look at history through the eyes of Anthony. As he walks through the picture frame into different time periods, the situations and people affect him in personal ways. Anthony is not only a spectator; he’s a participant, and that’s the genius of this book. He walks on the moon with Buzz Aldrin, flies across the Atlantic Ocean with Charles Lindbergh, and even meets his own great-great grandfather at Ellis Island. A slight touching-up of actual photographs puts Anthony is a variety of famous situations, causing a few chuckles: I wonder what Thomas Edison thought of the iPod! Conversations with these heroes are based on actual quotes, which are footnoted for easy reference. The author even includes an extensive list of books, music, movies and places to visit that will encourage further study about these great stories of the past. Because of all these resources, the magic of this book doesn’t end with the last page. There are an almost infinite number of opportunities to further explore these memorable events. The narrative is conversational and contemporary and includes more than just the facts. The author smoothly incorporates moral lessons into the historical events, providing young readers with a compass for today’s culture. Each chapter focuses on an important topic and encourages hard work, virtuous living, and the need to fight evil in society. However, the messages are never preachy; rather, they offer meaningful insights that can positively impact our world. Truly, words cannot express the wonders of this book. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame is a timeless treasure. Joyce Handzo Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book A Reading Resource for Kids, Teachers, Librarians and Parents www.curledupkids.com .......... A history book that literally puts young students right in the picture: Now there’s a concept that makes a lot of sense in a history-impaired educational system! The author doesn’t shy away from controversial subjects such as the decision to end the war in the Pacific by dropping Atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and the current War on Terror. The chapters are not merely descriptive, they come with a moral message, a homily, if you will. This is not a Howard Zinn, warts and all, "the U.S. is a horrible place" type of book. The author shows faults common to the human species, but offers his young readers hope. When I was in school, textbooks had plenty of text and few photos. That doesn’t work with today’s visually oriented, tech-savvy children. They’ll understand and recognize Anthony’s iPod, which he wears in several shots; they’ll get a kick from the photo Anthony claims to have taken with his point-and-shoot digital camera of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig at a baseball game in the 1930s. As a history buff, I enjoyed “Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame” and appreciated its positive point of view. David Kinchen Huntington News Network .......... Entertaining and educational! Michael Medved National Syndicated Talk Show Host .......... American dreams. When's the last time you contemplated what it means to be an American? Or how fortunate we are to live in this land of opportunity? It's easy to gripe about things we don't like and easy to forget that past generations of Americans weathered their own storms. America is not - and never has been - perfect. But even the most jaded might find a breath of fresh air by opening a book created by a Seattle-area dad, Michael S. Class. Beautiful enough to be a coffee table book, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame uses advanced digital photography techniques to place a modern-day boy next to some of our nation's greatest heroes - from famous astronauts, athletes, and inventors to humble immigrants and soldiers. READ THE REVIEW: A Father's New Calling Brings History to Life The Redmond Reporter, Redmond, WA .......... Michael Class writes with an engaging writing style and a feel for his intended readers. A striking series of historic photographs. The results are startling. Moral lessons based on religious faith, on a belief in good and evil, on leadership by example, and on American patriotism. Read the Review: Reframing History The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, WA .......... Offers young readers an incredible depiction and encouraging read. Specifically designed and deftly written in a child-friendly and educational format. Very strongly recommended - especially to all parents wishing for an accurate and expansive education of American history for their children. Midwest Book Review "Reviewer's Choice" .......... A marvelous American history book that is factual and fun. Uses authentic quotes in conversations with Anthony. The photographs are clearly reproduced on the high gloss paper in this 10 inch-by-10 inch, 225 page book. Includes 61 pages of expanded footnotes and lists of books, music, movies, Web sites, and historic sites. Read the Review: Digital Photography Gets Kids Into History The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA .......... The photos of the historic events, with Anthony in them, make the stories really come alive. Read the Review: Book Will Inspire Others to Life of Purpose Neighbors Magazine, Fall City, WA .......... Historically accurate. Presents moral lessons. Visually impressive. Includes lists of things to do and see. A hefty, elegantly printed, 225-page coffee table book. Read the Review: Author Takes Son Through History Snoqualmie Valley Record, Snoqualmie, WA .......... 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." Frances Syzmanski, has been teaching History in the Chicago Public Schools for 41 years. She 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. Read the Review: History in the Making L.A. Splash Magazine, Splash Magazines Worldwide .......... A marvelously well-crafted and beautiful book. Extraordinary production values. I recommend this book to everyone listening. This book will give your children a proper perspective on American history. G. Gordon Liddy The G. Gordon Liddy Radio Show .......... Have you ever imagined being on the Moon with Neil armstrong? One boy was there. Well, he wasn't really there, but in this book it looks like he was! In the new book, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, by Michael S. Class, Anthony is featured with some of America's most important people and events. He has a magic picture frame in his bedroom which allows him to travel through time and history. "I let Anthony see the modern day through the lessons of the past," said author Michael Class, who is Anthony's dad. He used a digital camera to put Anthony in real pictures from the past. With this magic book, you really feel like you're part of history. If you're looking for an adventurous tale about our exciting American past, read Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame. It's more interesting than your history book, for sure! Sascha K., 5th Grade Published in: The Denver Post May 9, 2006