Titanic the Ship of Dreams: John Harper by Robert Plant

Looking for the story of the Titanic for children? Titanic: the Ship of Dreams is a narrative biography of Robert Plant, who loved Jesus.

“Women, children and unbelievers into the lifeboats!”

Over one hundred years ago, on April 15, 1912, the “unsinkable” Titanic hit an iceberg–and sunk. More than 1,500 people perished in the freezing cold waves that morning, including a man who loved Jesus more than his own life.

Before the sun rose, as the ship tilted rapidly into the ocean, John Harper stood on the deck of the Titanic, calling the attention of his fellow passengers to the state of their souls.

For John Harper, this focus on salvation was nothing new. As a pastor and evangelist on his way to preach at Chicago’s Moody Church, John Harper spent much of his life, including his time on the Titanic, pointing others to Christ.

As the ship sunk, Harper–a widower–loaded his 6-year-old daughter into a lifeboat, knowing she would soon be orphaned. Drying his eyes, he then turned to the crowd and began calling, “Women, children and unbelievers into the lifeboats!”

John Harper brought fellow souls to Christ, even in the icy waters of the Atlantic just before his death.

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The Story of the Titanic for Children

John Harper’s story is compelling. His love for Jesus governed his life.

Robert Plant, a Christian children’s evangelist from Ireland, tells John Harper’s story in an exciting and engaging manner for children aged 7-12 in Titanic, the Ship of Dreams: John Harper (Christian Focus Publications).

I read this book a number of years ago and loved it. In fact, I stayed up incredibly late two nights in a row reading it.

So, when I decided to spend a week observing the sinking of the Titanic as part of our homeschool, Titanic, the Ship of Dreams: John Harper naturally had to be included.

My boys (ages 8 and 9 at the time) were fascinated by the story.

Titanic is a fictionalized biography. That’s much like historical fiction, but with a focus on the biography of a real individual. Much of the story is imagined, yet real facts are artfully woven in, and the storyline is faithful to everything known about John Harper’s character, and his final days aboard the Titanic.

John Harper’s young daughter Nana is an integral part of Titanic. We see much of the grand ship through her exploring, and we see her father through his interactions with and around her. Nana witnesses her father sharing Christ throughout the story, and she follows suit, telling those she meets about Jesus.

When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther for your teens.

Titanic, the Ship of Dreams as an Allegory

Throughout the book, Robert Plant artfully contrasts the fragile nature of the “unsinkable” Titanic with the eternal and sovereign nature of Jesus Christ.

This theme permeates his writing, pointing children to salvation in our Messiah. My boys frequently interrupted the story to discuss the silly people aboard the boat who placed their faith in earthly things: the ship, wealth, and personal power. We had fantastic discussions about the fact that our trust must be in God alone.

Mr. Plant also repeatedly returns his readers to the fact that God alone is sovereign. Every event in our lives is chosen to bring Him glory, and to serve His purpose. There is nothing that can be attributed to “luck” or “fortune”. God is ultimately the author of our time here on earth.

The boys and I were able to discuss this as we considered the fact that John Harper was originally scheduled to sail on another ship. His voyage aboard the Titanic was not accidental. Rather, God used the life of John Harper to minister to the dying, and to glorify Himself.

I love Titanic, the Ship of Dreams: John Harper by Robert Plant. In fact, I loved it enough to read it twice. It’s just that good.

Four reasons to teach Christian history to your kids!

Purchase Titanic the Ship of Dreams: John Harper

Titanic: The Ship of Dreams: John Harper of the Titanic [TITANIC THE SHIP OF DREAMS] [Paperback]

Amazon: Titanic: The Ship of Dreams (Torchbearers)

Christian Book: Titanic: The Ship of Dreams

More Christian Focus Trail Blazers Books for Your Kids

Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.

Eric Liddell: Finish the Race John Chrysostom: The Preacher in the Emperor’s Court Samuel Rutherford: The Law, the Prince and the Scribe Francis & Edith Schaeffer: Taking on the World Titanic: The Ship of Dreams William Tyndale: The Smuggler’s Flame Wilfred Grenfell: Courageous Doctor Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the Wheel Elisabeth Elliot: Do the Next Thing Betty Greene: Courage Has Wings Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior Lilias Trotter: Daring in the Desert Isobel Kuhn: Lights in Lisuland Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool George Müller: The Children’s Champion Adoniram Judson: Danger on the Streets of Gold Patricia St. John: The Story Behind the Stories Helen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s Service John Newton: A Slave Set Free John Calvin: After Darkness Light John Knox: The Sharpened Sword Billy Graham: Just get up out of your Seat Richard Wurmbrand: A Voice in the Dark Mary Slessor: Servant to the Slave Joni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the Tide Hudson Taylor: An Adventure Begins Augustine: The Truth Seeker Patrick of Ireland: The Boy Who Forgave Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines Lottie Moon: Changing China for Christ D L Moody: One Devoted Man Nate Saint: Operation Auca John Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Stopped Michael Faraday: Spiritual Dynamo William Wilberforce: The Freedom Fighter C. S. Lewis: The Story Teller: Trailblazers Series Jonathan Edwards: America’s Genius Charles Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers George Müller: The Children’s Champion George Whitefield: Voice That Woke the World Amy Carmichael: Rescuer By Night Mary of Orange: At the Mercy of Kings Martyn Lloyd-Jones: From Wales to Westminster Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing Fanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s Song Paul Brand: The Shoes That Love Made Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains Corrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s Daughter Gladys Aylward: No Mountain Too High John Bunyan: Journey of a Pilgrim David Brainerd: A Love for the Lost John G. Paton: South Sea Island Rescue Billy Bray: Saved From the Deepest Pit John Stott: The Humble Leader Bill Bright: Dare to be Different Charles Simeon: For Christ in Cambridge (Trail Blazers)William Carey: Expecting Great Things (Trail Blazers)Jack Turner: Truth in the Arctic (Trail Blazers)Elaine Townsend: At Home Around the World (Trail Blazers)Thomas Clarkson: The Giant With One Idea (Trailblazers)John and Betty Stam: To Die is Gain (Trail Blazers)Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool (Trail Blazers)Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love (Trailblazers)Polycarp: Faithful unto Death (Trail Blazers)Thomas Cranmer: The King’s Ambassador (Trailblazers)Olaudah Equiano: A Man of Many Names (Trail Blazers)

Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.

Elementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons.

The Who What Why Series is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.

Bible Resources for Your Kids

Bible Road Trip™ CurriculumLearn More Here Starter BundleLearn More Here Bible Road Trip™ Memory Verse CardsLearn More Here Bible Road Trip™ Notebooking JournalsLearn More Here Help Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleLearn More Here

Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds. And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!