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Cover of 11 Experiments That Failed

11 Experiments That Failed

by Jenny Offill

Book Details

Publisher:Schwartz & Wade
Published:2011-09-27
Pages:41
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

Age Range:6-10

About This Book

"This is a most joyful and clever whimsy, the kind that lightens the heart and puts a shine on the day," raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Is it possible to eat snowballs doused in ketchup—and nothing else—all winter? Can a washing machine wash dishes? By reading the step-by-step instructions, kids can discover the answers to such all-important questions along with the book's curious narrator. Here are 12 "hypotheses," as well as lists of "what you need," "what to do," and "what happened

Our Review

This clever picture book transforms everyday childhood curiosity into a delightful series of scientific investigations, following a young narrator through 11 hilariously misguided experiments. Each inquiry, from determining if a washing machine can wash dishes to testing if a snowball diet is sustainable, is presented with mock-serious scientific method—complete with hypothesis, materials, and wonderfully disastrous results. The book brilliantly captures the spirit of hands-on learning and the natural experimentation that defines early childhood, making the scientific process feel both accessible and wildly entertaining.

What makes this book truly special is how it celebrates failure as an essential part of discovery, teaching young readers that unexpected outcomes are just as valuable as successful ones. The deadpan delivery of each experiment's catastrophic conclusion will have both children and adults laughing together while subtly reinforcing critical thinking skills. Budding scientists and naturally curious kids who love testing boundaries will find endless inspiration in these pages, likely emerging with their own questions to investigate—though hopefully with slightly safer parameters than ketchup snowballs.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction