From the Everglades to the Great Lakes, from the sequoias of California to the rocky islands of Maine, The American Book of Fables invites readers to rediscover the beauty of America—her lands, her people, and her principles of liberty, law, and love. In this heirloom collection of original and adapted fables, best-selling author and educator Matthew Mehan reimagines Aesop for the New World, replacing lions and tigers with buffalo, eagles, manatees, and other creatures of our own blessed land. Each tale—crafted in the rhythms of classic verse and prose—reveals the joyful and hard-won harmony between faith, virtue, and freedom, showing how the gifts and laws of nature and nature's God can continue to guide and free the hearts of all Americans in their pursuit of happiness. With sections "for Littles, Middles, and Bigs," the book speaks to all ages. The youngest will delight in playful rhymes; older children will ponder and laugh with amusing moral tales; adults will savor Mehan's rich wit, historical wonder, and layered reflections on the human heart. Together, the book will help Americans to recapture that wit and wisdom, that gratitude and self-government, which are the foundations of both a good life and a great republic. Featuring luminous realist-impressionist illustrations by acclaimed painter John Folley—each an homage to American art, history, and landscape—this volume is both a moral treasury and a work of beauty. For families seeking to renew their love for nature, neighbor, God, and country, The American Book of Fables is more than a book—it is a keepsake, a handbook of liberty, and a celebration of the providence and the inspired generations that shaped America and that still calls her—and us—to greatness today. Matthew Mehan is Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College's Washington, D.C., campus. He has taught and designed humanities and leading citizenship curricula for over twenty-five years. Trained as a literary scholar, he earned a B.A. in Politics, an M.A. in English, and an honors Ph.D. in Literature from the University of Dallas. Mr. Mehan is the author of The Handsome Little Cygnet and Mr. Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals, a best-selling illustrated book of poetry praised as "a new classic" in children's literature. He writes for both scholarly and popular audiences, with bylines in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and . He lives in Virginia with his lovely wife and their children. From the Everglades to the Great Lakes, from the sequoias of California to the bays of Delaware, The American Family's Book of Fables invites families to rediscover the beauty of America--and the divine truths that make her worthy of love.In this heirloom collection of original fables, poet and educator Matthew Mehan reimagines Aesop for the New World, replacing lions and foxes with buffalo, eagles, manatees, and other creatures of our own blessed land. Each tale--crafted in the rhythms of classic verse and prose--reveals the eternal harmony between faith, virtue, and freedom, showing how the laws of nature and nature's God still guide the hearts of men.Structured "for Littles, Middles, and Bigs," the book speaks to the whole family. The youngest will delight in playful rhymes; older children will ponder moral tales; adults will savor Mehan's rich wit and layered reflections. Together, they will learn that wisdom, gratitude, and self-government are the foundations of both family and republic.Featuring luminous realist-impressionist illustrations by acclaimed painter John Folley--each an homage to American art and landscape--this volume is both a moral treasury and a work of beauty.For Catholic families seeking to renew their love for God and country, The American Family's Book of Fables is more than a book--it is a keepsake, a catechism of liberty, and a celebration of the providence that shaped our nation and still calls her to greatness.