Fairy Tale Science: Explore 25 Classic Tales Through Hands-On Experiments

“Have you ever wondered how a pair of glass slippers could withstand an evening of ballroom dancing? Or if it’s possible to spin straw into gold?” With textbook heft, this stuffed compendium parses scientific questions raised by fairy tales’ preposterous plots, pairing 25 story summaries—almost entirely European—with a series of kid-friendly experiments designed to explore STEM concepts. Albee’s snarky asides (of “The Princess and the Pea”: “This tale is short and, if you really think about it, mildly disturbing”) will draw young readers, while compelling scientific explorations explain concepts such as sound waves as they appear in “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” before presenting companion experiments. Some, like running time trials à la “The Tortoise and the Hare” to test for the presence of slow- and fast-twitch muscles, are better suited for a classroom environment, and others require equipment, including heart-rate monitors, that may not be available to all readers. Robinson’s cartoony digital illustrations feature a diverse array of human characters. Includes a robust glossary. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)