Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales

LoveReading4Kids Says

May 2024 Book of the Month

The Big Bad Wolf has been unfairly misrepresented, and he is here to set the record straight. Using logic and scientific fact in this clever, highly-illustrated book he will clear his name and prove he is not (quite) as bad as the stories say.

Wolfy (as he’s known to his friends) leads us through six entertainingly scathing retellings of popular fairy tales, followed by his scientific breakdown of why they are riddled with plot holes and falsehoods.

This is such a fabulously inventive concept; the world of fairy tales provides the perfect starting point for comedy and a first look at STEM topics. The fairy tales dissected are Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Princess and the Pea, Little Red Riding Hood. The familiarity of these tales makes the book wonderfully accessible, whilst the science is introduced at the perfect level to spark interest without being confusing.

I could quite happily quote this book to my heart’s content – it’s so full of entertaining jokes and interesting facts. Some highlights include ‘why African elephants have bigger ears than Asian elephants’ and ‘why glass is a rubbish material to make shoes with’. My absolute favourite though is the observation that pigs don’t even have chins. After years of reading about their chinny, chin chins – this blew my mind!

Sara Ogilvie expertly brings the retellings and scientific analysis to live with her lively cartoon-style illustrations. Rich in detail they make every page a joy to pore over and return to. Peppered throughout are fun science experiments for readers to try themselves, making this the perfect rainy day book for budding scientists.

An absolutely wonderful book for inquisitive children who struggle to suspend their disbelief and are forever asking “but what about…?”. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Amy McKay

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