The Tin Snail
What’s inside...
In the 1940s, amidst the world of luxury automobiles, the unassuming Tin Snail emerges with a challenging task: to transport a farmer and his wife, along with a flagon of wine and a tray of eggs, across a bumpy field in a quaint French village without spilling the wine or cracking the eggs. The stakes rise when the car must remain hidden from a Nazi officer determined to steal its design. Based on true events, Cameron McAllister's debut novel tells the story of a modest car that played a pivotal role in wartime efforts. Meanwhile, in 1938, young Angelo is tasked with inventing a new car to save his father's job. The design must successfully carry a farmer, his wife, two chickens, a flagon of wine, and a dozen eggs across rough terrain without damaging any eggs, all while keeping the design secret from enemy forces. This incredible tale, inspired by real-life events, showcases how a seemingly small invention can alter the course of history.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-11
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Angelo to create the Tin Snail, and how does this reflect his personality?
How did the villagers' attitudes change towards Angelo and his invention throughout the story?
What are some challenges Angelo faced and how did he overcome them?
What did you learn about teamwork and innovation from the story?
How would you have reacted if you were in Angelo’s situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use examples from the book to highlight the importance of perseverance and how it leads to success.
Discuss the different emotions Angelo experiences throughout the book to help your child understand and express their own feelings.
Encourage your child to think about how they can use their unique skills to solve problems, just like Angelo does.
Talk about the setting of the story and how it influences the characters and plot, helping your child connect the story to real-world contexts.
Praise your child’s thoughts and insights during the discussion to boost their confidence and engage them further.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Innovation and Creativity
Explanation: The story centers around a young boy, Angelo, who helps his father create a car that can ride over the rugged rural roads of their village. Through trial and error, Angelo demonstrates the importance of innovation and creativity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think creatively when solving problems and understand that failure is often a stepping stone to success.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Angelo collaborates with various villagers and family members to design and build the Tin Snail. This teamwork is crucial to their success, showing that many contributions can lead to a great result.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or school projects, learning to value each person’s contribution and working cooperatively towards a common goal.
Example Lesson: Persistence and Determination
Explanation: Throughout the book, Angelo faces many setbacks in the development of the Tin Snail, yet he never gives up. His perseverance ultimately leads to success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence in achieving goals, regardless of the obstacles they face in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Angelo shows empathy by understanding his father’s dream and helping him achieve it, which fosters a strong bond between them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to support their friends and family in their aspirations, fostering stronger relationships and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and Problem Solving
Explanation: The challenges Angelo faces in building the car require him to adapt and think quickly, effectively solving problems as they arise.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn to adapt to changing situations in their own lives, enhancing their ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently.