Professor Wooford McPaw’s History of Cars (Professor Wooford McPaw’s History of Things)
Professor Wooford McPaw'S History Of Things Series
What’s inside...
The book is the first in a series that explains the history of modern technologies, with each book featuring a knowledgeable yet arrogant dog named Professor Wooford McPaw. In this book, Professor McPaw explores the history of the car, beginning with the early steam engines of the 1800s, progressing through the invention of the combustion engine, the popularization by Henry Ford, the luxury cars of the 1950s, Japanese innovations in the 1970s, and the modern developments in electric and self-driving cars. The book uses comic strips to highlight key historical moments and features a humorous and personal touch through discussions between Professor McPaw and his sidekicks, which change in each book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think cars have changed so much over time?
What was your favorite car from the book, and why did it stand out to you?
How do you imagine cars will look like in the future?
If you could design your own car, what special features would it have?
How do cars impact our daily lives according to Professor Wooford McPaw?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the illustrations in the book to point out different types of cars and their features to help visualize the evolution described.
Connect the history of cars to personal family stories or experiences with cars to make the conversation more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw or describe their ideal future car, incorporating elements from the history they learned.
Discuss the importance of technological advances in cars and how they improve safety and comfort, relating them to the vehicles your family uses.
After reading, take a 'field trip' around your neighborhood to observe different cars, discussing their designs and guessing their age.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Innovation and Creativity
Explanation: Professor Wooford McPaw explores the evolution of cars, showcasing various inventors and their creative processes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of thinking outside the box and can be encouraged to apply creative thinking to solve problems or create projects in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of Perseverance
Explanation: The story highlights the challenges faced by inventors as they developed the automobile and how they persevered through failures.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of persistence in the face of difficulties, whether it's completing a challenging homework assignment or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Professor Wooford McPaw illustrates how various individuals and teams collaborated to advance the technology of cars.
Real-World Application: Children learn that working together can lead to greater achievements, applicable in group projects at school or collaborative games with peers.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: The book discusses the impact of cars on the environment, leading to discussions about pollution and sustainability.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about how their actions affect the environment and promotes practices like recycling and conservation in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Historical Perspective
Explanation: Through the historical context of car development, children are taught how technology has evolved over time in response to human needs and technological advancements.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate the conveniences of modern life and promotes a curiosity about how other everyday technologies came to be.