The Fantastic Family Whipple
#1 in The Fantastic Family Whipple Series
on Goodreads (491)
What’s inside...
For every child who’s ever dreamed of being in the Guinness Book of World Records comes the story of eleven-year-old Arthur Whipple and his remarkable family of world record breakers. His twelve siblings hold a combined total of 49,521 records for unique feats like the 'Most Crème Brulée Eaten in One Minute' and 'Youngest Person to Summit the Third-Highest Mountain in the World.' Unlike his siblings, Arthur has not broken any records. However, when a series of misfortunes strike the Whipple family and menacing clowns start causing trouble, Arthur might be the family's last hope to maintain their status and safeguard their legacy.
Character compass
Arthur Whipple
Mrs. Whipple
Mr. Whipple
Discussion points
What unique talents does each member of the Whipple family possess, and how do these talents impact their relationships?
How does Arthur Whipple's determination to win a world record despite not being the 'best' at anything influence your own views on perseverance and self-worth?
In what ways do the family dynamics in the book mirror or differ from our own family interactions?
What role do friendships play in the book, and how do they affect the characters' adventures and growth?
How do the characters handle competition and pressure, and what can we learn from their experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the diverse abilities within their own network of family and friends, linking personal experiences to the Whipple family's talents. Discuss the value of trying hard even when success isn't guaranteed, fostering a growth mindset. Connect discussions with personal anecdotes from family life to make themes more relatable. Highlight the importance of support systems in achieving goals, using examples from the book to illustrate how friendships can shape one's journey. Lastly, explore how dealing with challenges can teach valuable life lessons, encouraging resilience in face of adversity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'The Fantastic Family Whipple,' characters often have to work together to overcome challenges and solve problems. Their success is often achieved through collaboration and leveraging each other's strengths.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively with siblings or classmates on projects or in sports, learning that combined efforts often lead to greater success.
Example Lesson: Valuing individual talents
Explanation: Each member of the Whipple family has a unique talent that contributes to their overall success. The story emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating everyone's individual abilities.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to discover and nurture their own unique skills and respect others' talents, promoting self-confidence and appreciation for diversity in abilities among peers.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of failure
Explanation: The Whipple family experiences setbacks throughout the book, but they consistently demonstrate resilience by not giving up and trying again.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of perseverance and learning from mistakes. When they face difficulties in school or personal endeavors, they can remember the Whipple family's resilience and be encouraged to persist.
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity and learning
Explanation: Curiosity drives the Whipple family to explore and learn, helping them to solve mysteries and win competitions.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to be curious about the world around them can lead to a lifelong love of learning and exploration. It can motivate them to ask questions in class, undertake new hobbies, or explore new books.