About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts asking big, existential questions about what the future holds or expresses anxiety about the unknown. It is a perfect tool for transitioning a child's natural sense of wonder into a structured interest in history and the evolution of human thought. By exploring how different cultures and individuals have tried to predict what comes next, the book validates the child's curiosity while grounding it in historical context. Kathleen Krull masterfully profiles a diverse range of figures, from the Oracle of Delphi to Leonardo da Vinci and modern meteorologists. The book emphasizes that while humans have always been obsessed with the future, our methods have shifted from mystical rituals to scientific observation and creative intuition. It is highly appropriate for the 8 to 12 age range, offering bite-sized biographical chapters that encourage critical thinking and an appreciation for the 'pretty good guessers' who shaped our world.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book handles religious and mystical figures from a secular, historical perspective. It mentions that some prophets were treated with suspicion or faced danger, but the tone remains light and objective. It does not validate or debunk supernatural claims aggressively, leaving room for family discussion.
