New Children’s Series Highlights American Pioneers
Jill Simonian from Prager, in a recent conversation on the Alex Marlow Show, discussed the new “Trailblazers of America” series. This series, overseen by Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow, brings to light lesser-known stories of legendary American figures that children typically don’t encounter in school. Simonian emphasizes the importance of providing heroes for today’s youth, stating, “Our boys and girls need heroes.”
“We’ve developed various video and book series that cover topics like values, civic engagement, financial literacy, U.S. history, and world history. To be completely honest, I hadn’t fully appreciated the fascinating stories featured in the Trailblazers series until now,” she noted during the episode.
In addition, Simonian highlighted Prager’s new children’s series, “Talking About History” and “Expanding America,” which focus on themes of grit and perseverance in American history. She mentioned figures like Bass Reeves, who, as a former slave, became a renowned lawman in the Wild West, reportedly arresting numerous criminals.
During the interview, Marlow remarked that the “Trailblazers of America” book series is action-packed, aimed at engaging younger readers while teaching them about significant historical figures.
According to a description of the series, it includes dramatic stories and added features like maps and activities to engage children in the history of westward expansion and the qualities that define the American spirit.
Marlow seemed excited about the series, saying, “I’m not sure if these are aimed strictly at six-year-olds, but I loved them immediately.” He further added, “This is real history that you can trust. Pragel provides facts without the woke nonsense.”
Simonian, who has a background as a television host and entertainment reporter, explained that her shift toward Pragel was prompted by witnessing the state of public schools during the pandemic-induced lockdown. “It was absolute trash,” she reflected, acknowledging her earlier naivety about the educational system. She shared her concerns over a current event discussion that missed critical elements regarding September 11th, further fueling her skepticism about public education.
Simonian expressed a newfound motivation to voice her concerns online, spurred by Pragel CEO Marissa Strait encouraging her outreach. She mentioned that their children’s programming began in “Spring 2021” with “The Story of Otto,” revolving around American values.
The initiative has grown to include approximately 30 books covering American landmarks and holidays, aiming to educate children about essential figures in their communities, like police officers and teachers. Marlow praised “The Story of Otto,” saying, “We read it frequently at home.” He added that it honestly portrays the country in a positive light, avoiding partisan bias.
