The Children's Book of Heroes

Brief Description: Presents a collection of poems, traditional tales, and both fictional and true stories about all kinds of heroes. Table of Contents: CONTENTS Introduction Heroes Opportunity About Angels A Prayer at Valley Forge Only a Dad The Sphinx Jackie Robinson Sail On! Sail On! David and Goliath Our Heroes Honest Abe How the Animals Got Sunlight The Star Jewels Mother Teresa The Knights of the Silver Shield The Minotaur Helen Keller's Teacher Father Flanagan The Hero of Indian Cliff Tashira's Turn When Mother Reads AloudPublisher Marketing: "We all need a hero or two to help us stand fast and think right, " says William J. Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues, " the #1 bestseller that millions of American families turn to for moral inspiration. A new treasury chosen for young children, presents splendid tales of the valor and indomitable spirit. This lasting testament to our cherished values features performances by: Publisher Marketing: William Bennett and Michael Hague, the team that brought us the national bestseller "The Children's Book of Virtues, " have once again collaborated to create "The Children's Book of Heroes, " a beautifully illustrated celebration of heroic deeds, both real and fictional, that will delight and inspire millions of young children and their parents. "We all need a hero or two to help us stand fast and think right," says William J. Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues, " the #1 bestseller that millions of American families turn to for moral inspiration. With excerpts chosen for young children, this new treasury presents splendid tales of the valor and indomitable spirit that are a lasting testament to our cherished values. Jackie Robinson stands fast on the playing field -- and his strength of character inspires a nation. David slays Goliath -- and his faith and bravery give hope to underdogs everywhere. A little boy goes in search of an angel -- and finds one who guards him day and night: his own mother. From Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa to warriors on the battlefield, real moms and dads, and even young girls and boys, here are worthy and heroic figures all kids can look up to and emulate. "The Children's Book of Heroes" is a celebration of the endurance, sacrifice, courage, and compassion that characterize truly heroic deeds.

Contributor Bio:  Bennett, William J William J. Bennett served as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President George H. W. Bush and as Secretary of Education and Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities under President Reagan. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Williams College, a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of Texas, and a law degree from Harvard. He is the author of such bestselling books as "The Educated Child", "The Death of Outrage", "The Book of Virtues", and the two-volume series "America: The Last Best Hope". Dr. Bennett is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Bill Bennett's Morning in America". He is also the Washington Fellow of the Claremont Institute and a regular contributor to CNN. He, his wife, Elayne, and their two sons, John and Joseph, live in Maryland. Contributor Bio:  Hague, Michael Growing up in California in the 1950s, Michael was greatly influenced by the Prince Valiant comics and the Walt Disney Studio. His mother, who attended art school in London before immigrating to the US, nurtured his artistic talents and love for books. Her own childhood picture books impressed her young son so much that from an early age he knew exactly what he wanted to be a baseball player. Fortunately, his inability to hit a curve ball determined that he rediscover his true vocation, that of a book illustrator. Michael attended Art Center College of Design where he met his wife of over forty years, Kathleen Hague. After the two graduated with honors, they moved to Kansas City where Michael worked for Hallmark Cards designing greeting cards and calendars. Hallmark published his first book in 1975, a pop-up version of Gulliver s Travels. They then relocated to Colorado Springs to work at Current, again creating art for paper products. Several years later Michael opened his own studio and began work as a freelance illustrator. The Hagues stayed on in Colorado Springs where he and Kathleen raised three children and where the couple still live and work. Michael Hague has been inspired by a wide variety of artistic styles, ranging from the work of the Disney Studios to the oriental printmakers Hiroshige and Hokusai and the drawings of Michelangelo. He is a fan of contemporary comic and book illustrators as well as turn-of-the-century illustrators such Arthur Rackham, W. Heath Robinson, Howard Pyle and Herman Vogel. He is an avid collector of their books. About his life and work, Michael Hague says, I count myself as one of the most fortunate of beings. For as an artist I have not only the pleasure, but the duty to daydream. It is part of my work. I have been a contented daydreamer all my life, often to the exasperation of those around me. I have lived what seems to be a charmed life. I ve raised three wonderful children, live with my wife in a pink house with our two large dogs, and my work enables me to remain young at heart, forever like Peter Pan. The Michael Hague Signature Series is a wonderful tribute to a brilliant career and to the finest literature published for children and adults of all ages.