Bringing Family History to Life for Kids

This month’s Fortitude post is a little different.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I love exploring history—especially the moments where a family ancestor crossed paths with it. Sharing those stories has always been a passion of mine.

As a grandfather of five, I also enjoy passing these stories down to the next generation. But let’s be honest—holding the attention of a four-year-old while talking about events from 200 years ago can be quite a challenge!

That got me thinking: how can parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles make family history come alive for the young ones in their lives?

Time for a Book

Then it hit me—a children’s storybook could be the perfect way to spark kids’ interest in their ancestors and the world they lived in long ago.

Now, while I’ve got plenty of experience digging into family history, writing for children is not exactly in my skill set. My background in engineering and the military doesn’t lend itself to crafting stories that keep kids on the edge of their seats. Thankfully, I’m married to a retired elementary school teacher who knows exactly how to do just that!

So, together, after a few months of work, we’ve created something special—a children’s storybook and journal that makes family history engaging and meaningful for young readers.

Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions: A Quest to Discover the Story of Her Family History

Curious Cathy is a little girl with a big imagination and even bigger questions about her family history. In this children’s storybook, join Cathy in a heartwarming conversation with her grandfather into her family’s past. Through her quirky questions and his stories, Cathy learns about the inspiring people who came before her—her ancestors—and discovers just how special her family truly is.

COMING SOON: My Family History Journal

Inspired by the children’s storybook, Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions, this fun and easy-to-use journal helps kids dive into their family history. With guided prompts and space to draw, write, and insert photos, My Family History Journal makes discovering family roots an exciting adventure for kids. The journal is COMING SOON on Amazon.

Looking Ahead

If I could turn back time, I would have asked my grandparents to tell me all about their grandparents. Hearing those first-hand stories of my great-great-grandparents would have been priceless. Let’s be sure we don’t let that opportunity slip away with our own families.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out this new children’s book. Passing down our family history to the next generation is such an important task, and I hope these resources make that journey a little easier and a lot more fun.

Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions  is available on Amazon HERE.
 
Thank you for pausing with me to celebrate the release of this children’s storybook. In January, the Fortitude blog will return to its historical roots with the compelling story of a Spaulding who fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution.

NOTES

1. Featured Image generated by Google AI Studio.