“Founders’ Font,” by Rob Heber and Sean Hagerty

About the book: Parents and educators, this is a brilliant and exciting book for our children. A book for every son, daughter, or grandchild. Before the alphabet became a collection of keystrokes on a screen, it was something children carefully learned by hand—one letter, one word, and one thought at a time. The simple act of putting pen to paper was once recognized as an essential part of learning, helping young minds develop focus, memory, creativity, and the ability to express themselves with clarity and purpose.

Today, we live in a world of remarkable technological convenience. Information is available instantly, and communication travels at the speed of light. Yet amid these advances, something valuable has begun to fade. As handwriting becomes less common, so too does an important connection between thought and action—the deliberate process of slowing down, reflecting, and transforming ideas into words.

Ben the Pen, featured in Founders Font

Founders’ Font is about much more than learning cursive. It is an invitation to rediscover a foundational skill that strengthens the mind while opening a window into our nation’s history. Through the pages that follow, children will not only practice writing letters; they will encounter the words, principles, and ideals that helped shape the United States of America.

This is a fun journey through our nation’s history with our main character, Ben the Pen. As a time traveler accidentally created by Benjamin Franklin, Ben takes the reader on a journey around the country to understand the importance of critical thinking and our nation’s history.

Founders’ Font brings families back to the basics where learning is active, creativity is personal, and every letter written strengthens a child’s ability to think, comprehend, and express. It begins with a simple but powerful step: reintroducing the fine motor skill of physical writing.

Scroll down to read out Inkandescent Kids interview with children’s book author Sean Hagerty!

Tell Inkandescent Kids about Founders’ Font!

Sean: Founders’ Font is a fun journey through our nation’s history with our main character, Ben the Pen. As a time traveler, accidentally created by Benjamin Franklin, Ben takes the reader on a journey around the country to understand the importance of critical
thinking and our nation’s history.

“Founders Font” authors Rob Heber and Sean Hagerty at the Library of Congress, July 4, 2026

Founders’ Font brings families back to the basics where learning is active, creativity is personal, and every letter written strengthens a child’s ability to think, comprehend, and express. It begins with a simple but powerful step: reintroducing the fine motor skill of physical writing.

Physical writing is not the end goal; it is the starting point. By focusing the mind and fully engaging it in the act of forming each letter, children begin to rebuild the foundational skills required for comprehension, focus, and independent thought. Through the practice of cursive, children gain the ability to read our nation’s founding documents in their original form, without
relying on interpretation from others.

This is a critical step in developing true understanding of the ideas, rights, and responsibilities that define American society.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

Sean: I began writing at an early age. As a child, my mother and teachers would encourage me to develop short stories. However, it wasn’t until I was an adult in the Army that I began writing in earnest to my daughters when deployed overseas. I would write silly little stories about princesses and far off adventures to let them know I was thinking about them. When I finished my military career, I felt it was time to create and share new stories for both adult and child readers.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

Sean: We hope that readers will understand the importance of critical thinking. In today’s fast-moving digital world, children are learning to consume information quickly, but not always how to focus the mind, absorb concepts and ideas, and think for themselves. As a result, critical thinking, the ability to question, interpret, and form independent thought, is beginning to fade.

Without these skills, we risk relying on others to explain the very ideas, history, and principles that shape our nation. We lose independence.

One aspect of this shift is the loss of physical writing. As handwriting disappears, so does a powerful connection between the brain, language, and memory.

The art of writing connects thoughts and actions, transforming ideas into actions. And to truly understand the rights guaranteed to us in our founding documents, every American requires the ability to read and understand cursive writing. If not, they will always have to rely on others to interpret their rights for them.

What was it like to see your work published?

Sean: I am a published author for the adult vengeance thrillers I have written. Founders’ Font is my first children’s book written with my writing partner Rob Heber. We explored the publishing world and decided we wanted a publishing company that shared our vision of making stories fun yet educational for children. So, we established our own publishing company, Ranger Sacred Honor Publishing, to reflect our commitment to this country as retired Army Rangers. Founders’ Font is the first book in our collection.

Click here to learn about other books by Sean Hagerty