top of page

The Childhood of Famous Americans Series Masks, 2023

The Childhood of Famous Americans series introduces young readers to Americans traditionally learned about in public school history classes. They simplify true events and add intriguing illustrations to increase engagement. In many cases, they also white-wash history and glorify questionable figures.

 

Many of the books from this series still sit on public school library shelves. Harmless until picked up, they require significant context when in the hands of students. This is not an attack on anyone who learned from such books over the decades but a challenge to those who continue to see nothing wrong with them.

 

The below text was pulled from https://www.biblioguides.com/pub/series/childhood-of-famous-americans:

 

WHY SHOULD YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ THESE BOOKS?

 

Because they are so interesting that they make children good readers. The pleasure children find in these books—and the enlargement of their interests—open the whole world of books to them—and this is perhaps the greatest gift in your power to grant them.

 

Because they make the child of today the friend and playmate of great Americans of the past. He sees why they became famous, sees in them as children the traits which later earned them renown. He is inspired to imitate them, to develop the characteristics you want him to have. Thanks to these good stories—true to time, place and character—he meets great Americans as old friends whom he knew as children when later on he studies the details of our history.

 

Because they reflect true Americanism, a love of freedom, equality and fraternity, a strong distaste for racial or religious, economic or social prejudice. They radiate honesty, courage, ambition, kindness. They cover the whole panorama of American life in all periods and regions, showing the way our people lived, their hardships and their triumph.

 

Because their appeal is not limited by age. They have a low vocabulary level, the widest age-level range of interest the greatest variety of interest. Mary grabs them at eight, still loves them at fourteen. John may not catch the fever until he is twelve. Whatever a child's interests are, whenever they may develop whether he is a quick reader or a slow reader, he will find a book here to delight him—and lead him on to other books.

 

Because these books compete successfully with distracting interests less helpful to your child. Children don't have to be coaxed to read them. They always ask for more.

​

8” x 6” x 26”

 

pages from The Childhood of Famous Americans series, printer paper, wheatpaste

© 2025 by Nick Azzaro

bottom of page