They see the "I Survived" books in their book order catalogs. I admit to buying them, but not at age 5.

Obsessed at 6. He's over it by 7 1/2. That's all he talked about it and I started getting freaked out. He also went through a WWII phase. I am not into history and his father likes it but not to that extreme.

My kid was obsessed at 5 with the Titanic. Learned all about the Titanic, the tragedy, wondered why so many men died vs. women and children, learned about the sister ships and their misadventures. No longer obsessed at 8!

Yep. I had gotten one of those "Step Into Reading" books on the Titanic and that started the addiction. He built a cardboard and wood model at Christmas this year (he's now 8).

Now he's moving on to Pompeii. What's with the disaster obsession?

Both of mine went through that too. Currently one (they are 9 year old twins) is obsessed with the Alamo and the other is on the Civil War. Other phases included Amelia Earhart and Pompeii

We watch a lot of the History Channel too. For those with younger (say 7-9 year olds ) there is a series of books call "I survived the ...... " covering many topics told as about a young boy that lived through the whatever. Mine devoured them all.

I've never heard of children obsessed by the Titanic. Strange.

I volunteer in the elementary library and there are dozens of Titanic books. Fairly common obsession!

I happen to have an Aspie so obsessions are par for the course around here, but some cross the NT line!

My son is 5. It's all he thinks about

Anonymous wrote:Yes, my son (almost 6) was obsessed with the Titanic last year after my dad let him watch a documentary on it when he visited. My son delighted in telling his friends about the rooms imploding when the ship sank. This was right about the time that we got a scathing letter from the teacher about how our son told other kids in class about landmines and that the other kids were scared to go on the playground in case there were landmines buried. My husband thinks it's the funniest story ever and continues to read our son the National Geographic each month when it arrives.

Holy shit, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. That's awesome.

Yes, my son (almost 6) was obsessed with the Titanic last year after my dad let him watch a documentary on it when he visited. My son delighted in telling his friends about the rooms imploding when the ship sank. This was right about the time that we got a scathing letter from the teacher about how our son told other kids in class about landmines and that the other kids were scared to go on the playground in case there were landmines buried. My husband thinks it's the funniest story ever and continues to read our son the National Geographic each month when it arrives.

Anonymous wrote:From the "It Could be Worse" dept...

Several years ago, there was a NYT story about a boy (maybe 8 yo or so) who was totally beyond obsessed with vacuums. Had a birthday party around that theme, and was crossing his fingers for a whole-house vacuum system for Christmas. Developed quite an expertise in suction, horsepower and related issues.

Kinda makes the Titanic one look normal in comparison...

Lol!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought you were talking about the film. I was a Titanic (the film) obsessed 7-year-old back and the day.

You were 7 when the film came out? ....I feel old.

I was thinking the same!

This is very timely - my DS just read the magic treehouse book #17 about the Titanic...he is now obsessed!
What other books can I get him? He's 8.

From the "It Could be Worse" dept...

Several years ago, there was a NYT story about a boy (maybe 8 yo or so) who was totally beyond obsessed with vacuums. Had a birthday party around that theme, and was crossing his fingers for a whole-house vacuum system for Christmas. Developed quite an expertise in suction, horsepower and related issues.

Kinda makes the Titanic one look normal in comparison...

Huh, I'm so surprised to read all this. I had forgotten that my son had a period, too, when he was fascinated by it around the same age and getting books about it, too. Interesting. I've always been completely haunted by it, too.