Ole Evinrude and His Outboard Motor (Badger Biographies Series)
Badger Biographies Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
This book in the Badger Biographies series for young readers tells the inspiring story of Wisconsin entrepreneur Ole Evinrude, who overcame numerous setbacks to invent the outboard motor. Born in Norway in 1877 and immigrating to the United States at age five, Ole did not follow his family's farming path and instead pursued his passion for boats. After years of hard work, he founded the Evinrude motor company, and his outboard motors became a worldwide success. The book includes historic images, a glossary, and sidebars explaining how an outboard motor works, making it an engaging and educational read for children.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
78 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What challenges did Ole Evinrude face while inventing the outboard motor and how did he overcome them?
Why do you think perseverance is important when working on a big project?
How did Ole Evinrude's invention change the way people experienced boating?
What qualities do you admire most in Ole Evinrude and why?
If you could invent something to make daily life easier, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the process of invention by asking them to describe a problem they face and how they might invent something to solve it.
Relate the story to personal experiences where they had to persist in completing a difficult task.
Discuss the importance of trial and error, emphasizing that failures are often stepping stones to success.
Make connections between Ole Evinrude's passion for engineering and your child’s interests, discussing how passion can drive success.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in overcoming challenges
Explanation: The book chronicles Ole Evinrude’s journey in inventing the outboard motor, highlighting the numerous challenges and setbacks he faced.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of persistence and perseverance. When they encounter difficulties in schoolwork or personal projects, they can remember Ole's story and keep pushing forward.
Example Lesson: Innovation and creativity
Explanation: Ole Evinrude's invention of the outboard motor showcases his ability to think outside the box and create a solution that changed boating forever.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to embrace creativity in their thinking and problem-solving, encouraging them to invent or create solutions in their daily life, whether in play or school projects.
Example Lesson: Importance of hard work
Explanation: The book details the extensive work that went into developing the outboard motor, demonstrating that significant achievements require hard work and dedication.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by instilling a strong work ethic. Whether it’s being diligent in their studies or committed to practicing a sport, hard work is crucial.
Example Lesson: Learning from failure
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Ole experiences failures that eventually lead to his success. This illustrates the valuable lessons gained from each failure.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success. It encourages them to face their failures bravely and learn from them.
Example Lesson: The impact of inventions on society
Explanation: Ole Evinrude's invention significantly impacted the boating industry and recreational activities, showing how one invention can change societal norms.
Real-World Application: Children can see the broader implications of innovative thinking and how it can contribute positively to society, encouraging them to think about how their actions and ideas can impact the world.