Matthew Mehan, a bestselling author and associate dean and professor at Hillsdale College’s Graduate School of Government, is writing an innovative collection of fables to honor America’s approaching 250th anniversary.

In June, Mehan received a $50,000 America’s 250th Innovation Prize from The Heritage Foundation to support “The American Family’s Book of Fables.” The collection celebrates the nation’s wildlife and natural heritage by tying them together with the text of the Declaration of Independence to create a unique, American fable collection. 

“As a literary work, it will be a first of its kind,” said Bridgett Wagner, executive director of Heritage’s Edwin J. Feulner Institute, at the awards ceremony. 

“As a patriotic and artistic celebration of the 250th anniversary of our country, it will be a treasured work for the American family to help deepen their understanding and love for the principles, people, and places that make America the home of liberty and law,” Wagner added. 

“The prize money will allow me the liberty to write beautifully about our Declaration of Independence and our country, and allow me to commission truly beautiful art from my illustrator, John Folley, that’ll adorn this heirloom book fitting for this grand 250th birthday of our country,” said Mehan. 

He added, “With this prize, I’m very hopeful that I can help American children fall in love with this great nation for generations to come.” 

Heritage awarded a total of five America’s 250th Innovation Prizes. In addition to Mehan, other recipients included Cana Academy, Emergent Order Foundation, Herzog Foundation Institute, and Sophia Institute. 

Because of the success of the first round of America’s 250th Innovation Prizes, Heritage announced a second round with applications due Sept. 2.

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