
Reach for this book when your child is facing a creative block or feeling discouraged because their first attempt at a project didn't go as planned. It is a whimsical look at the real life inventor Lodner Phillips, who lived on the shores of Lake Michigan and dreamed of building a boat that could travel underwater like a fish. Through a series of humorous failures and iterations, Papa proves that curiosity and persistence are the keys to discovery. This story beautifully highlights the role of a supportive family unit, as the children and Mother offer the gentle nudges Papa needs to keep tinkering. It is a perfect choice for children aged 4 to 8 who love building, machines, or history. The rhythmic, repetitive text makes it an engaging read aloud that celebrates the messy, trial and error process of bringing a big idea to life.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book is entirely secular and lighthearted. While the mechanical failures involve the vessel sinking, the tone remains comedic and safe, with no real danger to the characters.
An inquisitive 6-year-old who is constantly taking apart their toys to see how they work, or a child who gets easily frustrated when their drawings or LEGO builds don't look 'right' the first time.
This book can be read cold. It includes an author's note at the end explaining the real history of Lodner Phillips, which is worth reading beforehand to answer the 'Is this real?' question. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'I can't do it,' or 'It's broken,' after a single failed attempt at a task.
Younger children (4-5) will delight in the repetitive 'clank-clank' sounds and the humor of the sinking ships. Older children (7-8) will appreciate the engineering logic and the historical context of early submersibles.
Unlike many STEM books that focus on the 'genius' of the inventor, this one focuses on the family as the catalyst for the inventor's success. It frames questions as the most important tool in a scientist's kit.
Set in the late 1800s, the story follows an eccentric inventor, Papa, who is inspired by his daughter's question about the lake. He decides to build a submarine. The narrative follows a cyclical structure: Papa builds a version of the 'fish,' it fails in a humorous way, a family member asks a new question, and Papa goes back to his workshop to iterate. Eventually, the whole family takes a successful, magical trip beneath the waves in his final invention.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.