Kelley Paul: America’s Founders were the ‘first civil rights heroes’
A New Chapter for Kelley Paul: Celebrating America's Founding Fathers Through Children's Literature
Kelley Paul - As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary celebration, Kelley Paul has found an unexpected creative outlet beyond her established roles in politics and public relations. The wife of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and daughter-in-law of Texas Congressman Ron Paul has channeled her experience on the campaign trail into something entirely new—a children's book that brings American history to life for young readers.
Paul recently shared details about her latest project, "Good Night, Young American," during an interview at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas. The book, designed for children between the ages of four and eight, follows a young boy who begins his Fourth of July with his parents and then drifts into a vivid dream that transports him through the pivotal moments of early American history.
From Dinner Table Conversation to Published Book
The inspiration for the book came from a simple family moment. Paul explained how her daughter-in-law Kate expressed frustration with the limited patriotic options available for babies at the time.
I have to give a lot of credit to my daughter-in-law, Kate. She and our son were over for dinner last summer with our grandson, who was only six months old at the time. And Kate was like, you know, we need more patriotic books for babies.
That evening, the family brainstormed ideas together, and Paul came up with the concept that would eventually become her book. Within twelve months, the idea had transformed into a published work ready for young audiences.
A Journey Through Revolutionary History
The narrative takes readers on an imaginative adventure. After his parents explain the Declaration of Independence to him, the young protagonist falls asleep and finds himself in the crow's nest of the Mayflower. From there, he experiences life as both a pilgrim and a colonist, eventually befriending some of America's most celebrated revolutionary figures.
Throughout his dream, the boy encounters Sam Adams and joins the Sons of Liberty at the Green Dragon tavern. He meets Benjamin Franklin while the inventor flies his famous kite and accompanies Paul Revere on his midnight ride. A small dog accompanies him on every adventure, and he even crosses the Delaware River alongside General George Washington.
Paul worked closely with illustrator Marika Monesi to ensure the visual elements captured the energy and excitement of these historical moments. She wanted children to see movement and dynamism rather than static scenes of men standing around writing documents.
I wanted to bring it to life. So I said, let's have him running up to the top of the bell tower in Philadelphia at Freedom Hall and swinging on the Liberty Bell.
Even the depiction of King George III received attention, with Rand Paul suggesting that the monarch should appear larger, noting that the historical figure was famously overweight.
Reconnecting with Foundational Values
Beyond creating an engaging story for children, Paul saw the book as an opportunity to address contemporary concerns about how American history is taught. She believes that society has drifted from fully appreciating the revolutionary nature of what the founders accomplished in 1776.
At that time, most people accepted both the divine right of kings and hereditary rule as natural order. The founders challenged these conventions by incorporating Enlightenment philosophy, particularly ideas from John Locke, into a completely new governmental framework.
Paul's work represents not only a personal creative endeavor but also a contribution to preserving and sharing the story of America's founding with a new generation of readers.