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.
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Inside the Book
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.
The Author
Matthew Mehan is an American author and educator whose work focuses on classical education, civic virtue, and the art of storytelling. Inspired by the tradition of timeless fables, he writes stories that help young readers explore values such as wisdom, honesty, courage, and responsibility.
Through his writing, Mehan continues the tradition of meaningful storytelling that both entertains and inspires reflection. The American Book of Fables introduces children to thoughtful and imaginative tales that encourage curiosity, moral imagination, and an appreciation for timeless lessons.
The Illustrator
John Foley is an illustrator and visual storyteller known for bringing imaginative stories to life through expressive and engaging artwork. His illustrations combine warmth, detail, and a playful sense of character, helping young readers connect with the stories on the page.
In The American Book of Fables, Foley’s artwork adds a vivid visual dimension to the timeless tradition of fables, capturing the charm, humor, and lessons within each tale and making them memorable for readers of all ages.
Endorsements
“Matthew Mehan’s The American Book of Fables celebrates America’s 250th birthday in grand style, reconnecting the principles of liberty, equality, and the rule of law to the history, the people, and especially the beautiful lands and waters of our amazing United States of America”
Christopher Rufo
New York Times bestselling author, America’s Cultural Revolution
“Perfect for reading aloud together, The American Book of Fables is a loving celebration of America’s landscape, heritage, and enduring ideals. Beautifully illustrated by John Folley, this patriotic treasury reminds us — and teaches the next generation — of the high principles, dangerous freedoms, and shared memories that make our country not just great, but good.”
Justin Shubow
President of the National Civic Art Society
“Mehan writes a book that is an adventure in America. In it, the reader might cross the Mississippi, explore the Great Plains, or charge up the Rockies—and he will find all sorts of creatures, big and small, along the way. The American Book of Fables explores the timeless virtues of our country in all their glory: the natural, the literary, and the political. And like America, a trip through her pages cannot but leave the journeyer charmed and more edified for the effort.”
Dr. Larry P. Arnn
President of Hillsdale College
Upcoming Events
Publication Date Launch Party
Hillsdale College
Join us for the launch celebration of The American Book of Fables at Hillsdale College, featuring a special presentation and discussion.