An introduction explains the structure of the book and gives some background on the stories, as well as a safety note. The tales are primarily Western, from Grimm, Perrault, the Arabian Nights, and Andersen, but there are a few exceptions and Albee lightens the familiar fare with her own snarky summaries of each story. A note on the tale’s origin is included and the summary of the story includes an introduction to the following science experiments and explorations. There are also informational sections on poisonous plants, parasites, and more.
Readers can explore and experiment with transmutation along with the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, test temperature and density with Goldilocks, and try some fun egg experiments to go with Humpty Dumpty. The book ends with a glossary and acknowledgement. The layout is colorful and attractive, filled with cartoons by Robinson.
Albee’s humor and history background shines through in her exploration of the context of the tales and she makes the science lively and interesting, with a self-deprecating wink at the kids as they stretch the tales’ themes to fit into fun science.
Verdict: A must-have for any library or school that offers STEM programming, this will be a hit in both professional and public collections. Recommended.
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