Last month my husband and I attended a homeschool conference in Round Rock, Texas. Going in, we prayed for divine appointments and asked God to guide our footsteps. We met authors and publishers among the vendors, talked shop, and did some vision casting with a few of them. Some we expected to see, and some we didn’t.

One unexpected meeting came when we chanced across a booth with some great picture books on display. My attention was immediately caught by Seaman’s Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark. It’s one of my favorites. Then I noticed a theme common to all the picture books in the booth—they all had a strong connection to American history.

I soon learned that the American History Education Project was the brainchild of Chris Cardiff and his wife Monica. They believe the virtues and values of American Exceptionalism are the building blocks of the American Dream and have brought prosperity, not only to America, but to the world. Because they fervently believe these virtues and values must be passed on to the next generation, they have created the American History Education Project—modules of activities based on some amazing picture books that help bring history to life.

To be clear, the American History Education Project does not sell books. Instead, they evaluate, review, and recommend picture books based on their historical content, a good story, and beautiful illustrations. For each book they recommend, they offer a FREE module filled with a wide range of interactive activities easily customized for different ages and learning styles. The idea is to make history come alive for kids while instilling the values that have made America great. The highlight of each module is an historical reenactment designed for kids to perform.

The Cardiffs are joined in the American History Education Project by their daughter Brianna and her husband Steve. The modules they create are tested on the family’s children and grandchildren with the goal of teaching traditional American values such as:

• In God we trust.
• E Pluribus Unum.
• All men are created equal.
• Equal justice under the law.
• Equality of opportunity
• Liberty
• Rule of Law
• Voluntary associations
• Self-reliance
• Strong work ethic
• Limited government

The idea that America is exceptional has come under fire in recent years from people and political groups that seek to destroy it. Despite this, even the naysayers cannot argue with the fact that the United States has achieved amazing things in its almost 250 years as a constitutional republic. The United States has been the deciding factor in world wars, served as first responders to the world’s emergencies and disasters, and has been a defender of freedom at home and abroad. Perfect? No. But the same resilience and fortitude that led pioneers to push westward in settling the New World has enabled the United States to remain a world leader for most of its history.

In 1787, as the Founding Fathers worked to create the rules and ideas that would govern the newly formed United States, they struggled with the desire to be free of a monarchy and the knowledge that a democracy would likely lead to self-destruction. The document we now know as the Constitution of the United States of America was the result of long discussions, heated debate, and much prayer. When it was finally complete, John Adams observed, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

At the signing of the Constitution (September 17, 1787) Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of government the men had created. His response? “A republic, if you can keep it.” Even then, the Founding Fathers knew that the new government could not succeed without a well-informed citizenship. And, as noted by John Adams, “Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”

The American History Education Project is taking on the task to inform the public by educating young people about the values that make America great. The Cardiff family is making it their personal mission to help parents and teachers pass these values on to the next generation in a fun and engaging way. To find out more about the American History Education Project along with FREE teaching activities for some wonderful picture books, see: ahep1776.org.

Wendy Hinote Lanier is a former elementary teacher, a certified public speaker, and the award-winning author of more than 50 books for children on topics related to science, technology, social studies, and the arts. These include the Christopher Award winning The Dog That Gave My Brother Words and the Moonbeam Gold Medal and Selah Award winning Too Many Pigs in the Pool.

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