Families who loved The Age of Exploration: Totally Getting Lost by Erik Slader often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is paralyzed by a fear of making mistakes or feels like a failure after a setback. While it presents as a fast-paced history of world exploration, its true purpose is to reframe failure as a necessary stepping stone toward discovery. By highlighting the blunders of famous figures like Columbus and Magellan, it helps children see that even the most successful people in history were often lost, confused, and prone to 'epic fails.' This humorous non-fiction title is perfect for elementary and middle schoolers who enjoy witty storytelling. It balances historical facts with a lighthearted tone that removes the shame from getting things wrong. Parents will appreciate how it builds resilience and curiosity, encouraging kids to view their own 'wrong turns' as part of a larger adventure rather than the end of the road.
