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Великий Сірий Вовк досліджує казки
Жив собі Великий Сірий Вовк, який не вірив у всілякі казкові нісенітниці. Як-от чи справді могла Попелюшка танцювати у кришталевих туфельках? І чому тільки у неї була така нога, щоб влізти в таку туфлю? Або ж чи так легко дмухнути і зруйнувати солом’яний будиночок? Не кажучи вже про те, що вовк просто НЕ МОЖЕ проковтнути бабусю цілком, хіба перетвориться на якогось вовкопітона.
Що ж — настав час дослідити казки з Великим і Не-Таким-Вже-Страшним-Як-Ви-Собі-Думаєте Сірим Вовком за допомогою НАУКОВИХ ФАКТІВ, і правда може вас… здивувати та розсмішити.
Що ж — настав час дослідити казки з Великим і Не-Таким-Вже-Страшним-Як-Ви-Собі-Думаєте Сірим Вовком за допомогою НАУКОВИХ ФАКТІВ, і правда може вас… здивувати та розсмішити.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 17, 2024
In a Nutshell: This book and I were a match made in book heaven! 🤩 Loved the approach that combines humour and logic to debunk the sillier elements of some fairy tales. Strongly recommended!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I enjoy fairy tales. I love scientific thinking. I adore logic. I relish humour. Seeing all four of these together in a single work was almost a “bookgasmic” moment for me! 😆
Had the book not delivered on any of these factors, I might still have been happy reading it. But the content not only reaches but also surpasses the promise made by the title and cover.
All of us know that there are several logically impossible elements in fairy tales. In childhood, we might have oohed and awwwed at the stories without overthinking the practicalities. In adulthood, we might have cringed at the gender bias, wealth bias, and the lack of consent that is so rampant in this genre. But how many times have we ever wondered about the scientific accuracy of fairy tales? Here comes the Big Bad Wolf to huff and puff the myths out of the way. (That sentence itself is scientifically inaccurate – I now know! Sorry, Mr. Wolf!)
Having the Big Bad Wolf as the narrator is a brilliant move. The opening note by him sets the right tone for the content. His character is upset by the unfairness of his depiction in such stories, and hence he is on the mission to debunk the myths and set the facts straight. I bet you won’t look at him with distrustful eyes once you read his investigation of the fairy tales.
The wolf has chosen six distinct fairy tales for the purpose of this book, covering princesses and pigs, balls and forests, peas and beanstalks. This keeps each analysis fresh.. He first presents a short recap-style version of the fairy tale, written in comic-style panels, and completed within a single page. This is an effective method of providing a refresher of the story in concern, just in case the reader is unaware of it. On the next page, the scientific analysis of the tale begins, with the wolf probing some key points from the story that are inaccurate in reality. This section doesn’t just stop at exposing fairy tale exaggerations but also provides interesting facts from the real world that are connected to some part of the tale. So we get a reality check as well as fun trivia for each of the six stories. Awesome!
The entire presentation is informative without being tedious. Every page is full of humour, as the wolf takes sly digs at the absurdity of the stories. His tongue-in-cheek presentation works so much better than a dry scientific analysis! I loved this light-hearted, partly satirical approach. There is a special section at the end, which will tickle the funny bone of every reader even further.
It won’t take a scientific investigation to understand that I adored this book! It hit the bull’s eye in terms of intent as well as execution. The illustration style, which is so reminiscent of children’s storybooks, is also perfect for this kind of content.
Heartily recommended to every little reader! This illustrated book will not make them detest fairy tales but see them with a new perspective. It will also boost scientific thinking and encourage an investigative mindset as a substitute to blind acceptance of the written word – so very important in today’s world of fake news and filtered content.
The book will be a great addition to homes as well as classroom libraries. Given the content and language level, it would be perfect for little readers aged 5-8 years. I am sure it will offer value even to children older than this range.
5 sparkly, scientifically accurate stars.
Dear author/publisher, could we please turn this concept into a series?
My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley for the DRC of “Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I enjoy fairy tales. I love scientific thinking. I adore logic. I relish humour. Seeing all four of these together in a single work was almost a “bookgasmic” moment for me! 😆
Had the book not delivered on any of these factors, I might still have been happy reading it. But the content not only reaches but also surpasses the promise made by the title and cover.
All of us know that there are several logically impossible elements in fairy tales. In childhood, we might have oohed and awwwed at the stories without overthinking the practicalities. In adulthood, we might have cringed at the gender bias, wealth bias, and the lack of consent that is so rampant in this genre. But how many times have we ever wondered about the scientific accuracy of fairy tales? Here comes the Big Bad Wolf to huff and puff the myths out of the way. (That sentence itself is scientifically inaccurate – I now know! Sorry, Mr. Wolf!)
Having the Big Bad Wolf as the narrator is a brilliant move. The opening note by him sets the right tone for the content. His character is upset by the unfairness of his depiction in such stories, and hence he is on the mission to debunk the myths and set the facts straight. I bet you won’t look at him with distrustful eyes once you read his investigation of the fairy tales.
The wolf has chosen six distinct fairy tales for the purpose of this book, covering princesses and pigs, balls and forests, peas and beanstalks. This keeps each analysis fresh.. He first presents a short recap-style version of the fairy tale, written in comic-style panels, and completed within a single page. This is an effective method of providing a refresher of the story in concern, just in case the reader is unaware of it. On the next page, the scientific analysis of the tale begins, with the wolf probing some key points from the story that are inaccurate in reality. This section doesn’t just stop at exposing fairy tale exaggerations but also provides interesting facts from the real world that are connected to some part of the tale. So we get a reality check as well as fun trivia for each of the six stories. Awesome!
The entire presentation is informative without being tedious. Every page is full of humour, as the wolf takes sly digs at the absurdity of the stories. His tongue-in-cheek presentation works so much better than a dry scientific analysis! I loved this light-hearted, partly satirical approach. There is a special section at the end, which will tickle the funny bone of every reader even further.
It won’t take a scientific investigation to understand that I adored this book! It hit the bull’s eye in terms of intent as well as execution. The illustration style, which is so reminiscent of children’s storybooks, is also perfect for this kind of content.
Heartily recommended to every little reader! This illustrated book will not make them detest fairy tales but see them with a new perspective. It will also boost scientific thinking and encourage an investigative mindset as a substitute to blind acceptance of the written word – so very important in today’s world of fake news and filtered content.
The book will be a great addition to homes as well as classroom libraries. Given the content and language level, it would be perfect for little readers aged 5-8 years. I am sure it will offer value even to children older than this range.
5 sparkly, scientifically accurate stars.
Dear author/publisher, could we please turn this concept into a series?
My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley for the DRC of “Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
November 3, 2024
‘*‘ Meine Meinung ‘*‘
Es fiel mir sofort auf, dass die erwähnten und analysierten Märchen alle amerikanisch ausgelegt sind. Aschenputtel hat bei uns zum Beispiel keine Kürbiskutsche. Da war dann weiterer Erklärungsbedarf nötig und die amerikanische Version der Märchen wurde im Internet herausgesucht.
Jedes der sechs Märchen wird zuerst kurz zusammengefasst und dann von Professor Wolfy genauer beleuchtet. Dabei wird auch Wissen vermittelt. Wie zum Beispiel, warum es unmöglich ist, in Glasschuhen zu tanzen. Es wurde auch auf reale Verwandlungen von Tieren eingegangen. Hier wurde die Verwandlung einer Raupe in einen Schmetterling und von einer Kaulquappe in einen Frosch beschrieben. Dass eine Verwandlung einer Ratte in einen Menschen ziemlich unwahrscheinlich ist, wurde dabei auch gezeigt.
Überhaupt waren die Zeichnungen hervorragend und begleiteten die Texte bildlich. Für Kinder, die noch nicht lesen können, sind die Eltern gefragt, die dann auch genau auf die Verbindung zwischen Text und Bilder eingehen können. Die Texte sind zwar einfach, aber trotzdem informativ geschrieben und die Kinder können auf spielerische Weise lernen.
Ich vergebe 5 Märchen-Sterne.
Feedback der jungen Leserin:
Total schöne Bilder, aber ich glaube doch nicht mehr an Märchen. Aber cool, dass ich nun weiß, Wölfe können gar nicht pusten. Ich habe eine Erbse unter meine Matratze gelegt. Bin keine Prinzessin, ich spüre sie gar nicht. Tolle bunte Bilder und „informative Texte“ (hat Mami gesagt).
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Kann eine Prinzessin eine kleine Erbse durch einen Berg von Matratzen spüren? Kann ein Wolf ein Holzhaus umpusten? Und könnte sich ein Kürbis tatsächlich in eine Kutsche verwandeln, um Aschenputtel zum Ball zu fahren?
Natürlich nicht! Das ist alles eine Menge märchenhafter Unsinn! Oder doch nicht? In diesem Märchenbuch möchte der große böse Wolf die Wahrheit herausfinden und dabei seinen schlechten Namen reinwaschen. Denn er hat Großmutter kein Haar gekrümmt – alles Lügen!
Das etwas andere Märchenbuch für wissbegierige Kinder und Erwachsene.
Es fiel mir sofort auf, dass die erwähnten und analysierten Märchen alle amerikanisch ausgelegt sind. Aschenputtel hat bei uns zum Beispiel keine Kürbiskutsche. Da war dann weiterer Erklärungsbedarf nötig und die amerikanische Version der Märchen wurde im Internet herausgesucht.
Jedes der sechs Märchen wird zuerst kurz zusammengefasst und dann von Professor Wolfy genauer beleuchtet. Dabei wird auch Wissen vermittelt. Wie zum Beispiel, warum es unmöglich ist, in Glasschuhen zu tanzen. Es wurde auch auf reale Verwandlungen von Tieren eingegangen. Hier wurde die Verwandlung einer Raupe in einen Schmetterling und von einer Kaulquappe in einen Frosch beschrieben. Dass eine Verwandlung einer Ratte in einen Menschen ziemlich unwahrscheinlich ist, wurde dabei auch gezeigt.
Überhaupt waren die Zeichnungen hervorragend und begleiteten die Texte bildlich. Für Kinder, die noch nicht lesen können, sind die Eltern gefragt, die dann auch genau auf die Verbindung zwischen Text und Bilder eingehen können. Die Texte sind zwar einfach, aber trotzdem informativ geschrieben und die Kinder können auf spielerische Weise lernen.
Ich vergebe 5 Märchen-Sterne.
Feedback der jungen Leserin:
Total schöne Bilder, aber ich glaube doch nicht mehr an Märchen. Aber cool, dass ich nun weiß, Wölfe können gar nicht pusten. Ich habe eine Erbse unter meine Matratze gelegt. Bin keine Prinzessin, ich spüre sie gar nicht. Tolle bunte Bilder und „informative Texte“ (hat Mami gesagt).
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Kann eine Prinzessin eine kleine Erbse durch einen Berg von Matratzen spüren? Kann ein Wolf ein Holzhaus umpusten? Und könnte sich ein Kürbis tatsächlich in eine Kutsche verwandeln, um Aschenputtel zum Ball zu fahren?
Natürlich nicht! Das ist alles eine Menge märchenhafter Unsinn! Oder doch nicht? In diesem Märchenbuch möchte der große böse Wolf die Wahrheit herausfinden und dabei seinen schlechten Namen reinwaschen. Denn er hat Großmutter kein Haar gekrümmt – alles Lügen!
Das etwas andere Märchenbuch für wissbegierige Kinder und Erwachsene.
September 2, 2025
OMG, this was even more fun than I had expected! So you know all those fairy tales? Cinderella? Three piglets? Big bad wolf? And others? Well, they are all FAKE! WRONG! And the wolf will explain to us why. From why straw houses are actually perfect and work fine unless a whale blows on it, to why a gingerbread house doesn't work, to how a wolf eats and so grannies are not going to be gobbled in one piece, to magic beans and cutting a beanstalk. Oh, and Cinderella had to have a very wrong foot. There is a lot more and I had so much fun, giggling and laughing as I read on. The illustrations by the fab Sara Ogilvie were awesome again!
HIGHLY recommended.
HIGHLY recommended.
February 18, 2024
Thanks NetGalley & Bloomsbury for this ARC
This was so fun! I like the recaps of the fairy stories (I admit at 30 years old I'd forgotten some of them!) and then turning the page to read the science debunking. The illustrations were really eye catching, and helped this book to make learning fun!
This was so fun! I like the recaps of the fairy stories (I admit at 30 years old I'd forgotten some of them!) and then turning the page to read the science debunking. The illustrations were really eye catching, and helped this book to make learning fun!
November 12, 2025
the whole room (10 grade schoolers i read this to) ate this up
September 9, 2024
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I loved the illustrations in the book, they are really great and lovely to look at.
I thought that the story was good and it was one my 6 year old daughter really enjoyed too.
We read the book together and then she read it to me the next night and has asked for it again tonight – you can’t really give greater praise to a children’s book than that with the number of books that there are available and it was great timing for this one as we went to watch a Little Red Riding Hood pantomime between Christmas and New Year too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I loved the myth busting approach as a mum too and that the book was fun and informative – very highly recommended!
I loved the illustrations in the book, they are really great and lovely to look at.
I thought that the story was good and it was one my 6 year old daughter really enjoyed too.
We read the book together and then she read it to me the next night and has asked for it again tonight – you can’t really give greater praise to a children’s book than that with the number of books that there are available and it was great timing for this one as we went to watch a Little Red Riding Hood pantomime between Christmas and New Year too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I loved the myth busting approach as a mum too and that the book was fun and informative – very highly recommended!
December 30, 2025
Big bad wolf has had enough of bad science in stories. If you read a lot of picture books (like I do) I'm sure you have always wondered:
- Can a wolf actually blow air from it's mouth?
- Which animal can?
- How strong a wind would it take to blow a straw house?
- Can a human dance in glass shoes?
- Why didn't the glass shoe turn back into whatever it was before at midnight?
- Why in the world would absolutely nobody else be able to wear that glass shoe? Too big? Too small?
- How long would a house made out of candy last in the rain?
- Can a plant really grow so high to reach the clouds?
- How long would ascent to the clouds on a plant take? Would a human be able to breath up there? How hot or cold would it be up there?
- How long would it take to cut down a plant that's big enough to reach the clouds?
- Is the point of that story that it's ok to steal?
- Why would the wolf make such elaborate plans instead of just eating the girl and her grandma?
- Could a wolf actually eat an entire human?
- Do animals with big ears really hear better?
- Do animals with big eyes really see better?
- Can a wolf actually blow air from it's mouth?
- Which animal can?
- How strong a wind would it take to blow a straw house?
- Can a human dance in glass shoes?
- Why didn't the glass shoe turn back into whatever it was before at midnight?
- Why in the world would absolutely nobody else be able to wear that glass shoe? Too big? Too small?
- How long would a house made out of candy last in the rain?
- Can a plant really grow so high to reach the clouds?
- How long would ascent to the clouds on a plant take? Would a human be able to breath up there? How hot or cold would it be up there?
- How long would it take to cut down a plant that's big enough to reach the clouds?
- Is the point of that story that it's ok to steal?
- Why would the wolf make such elaborate plans instead of just eating the girl and her grandma?
- Could a wolf actually eat an entire human?
- Do animals with big ears really hear better?
- Do animals with big eyes really see better?
April 11, 2025
De grote boze wolf onderzoekt sprookjes. Tekst: Catherine Cawthorne. Illustraties: Sara Ogilvie.
De wolf is boos! Waarom? Omdat sprookjes vol leugens staan, vooral over de wolf zelf. In dit boek vertelt de boze wolf ons wat er niet klopt in sprookjes zoals Hans en Grietje, Roodkapje, De drie biggetjes,… Hilarisch in woord én beeld.
Je kan je niet voorstellen hoe grappig dit is, je moet het gewoon zelf lezen. Jong én oud gaan hiervan smullen én hardop lachen. Ik ben in ieder geval verkocht én hoop dat de wolf nog genoeg verontwaardigde energie heeft om nog een paar boeken te vullen; sprookjes genoeg!
De wolf is boos! Waarom? Omdat sprookjes vol leugens staan, vooral over de wolf zelf. In dit boek vertelt de boze wolf ons wat er niet klopt in sprookjes zoals Hans en Grietje, Roodkapje, De drie biggetjes,… Hilarisch in woord én beeld.
Je kan je niet voorstellen hoe grappig dit is, je moet het gewoon zelf lezen. Jong én oud gaan hiervan smullen én hardop lachen. Ik ben in ieder geval verkocht én hoop dat de wolf nog genoeg verontwaardigde energie heeft om nog een paar boeken te vullen; sprookjes genoeg!
December 16, 2024
This book is such fun - the Big Bad Wolf tears apart some of the most famous fairy tales and debunks some what happens within them…
Would a gingerbread house withstand a rainstorm? Would a Princess really sleep on a bed 40 mattresses high and would she really feel a pea through them? And could you actually dance in a glass slipper?
Definitely one for the scientifically minded!!
Would a gingerbread house withstand a rainstorm? Would a Princess really sleep on a bed 40 mattresses high and would she really feel a pea through them? And could you actually dance in a glass slipper?
Definitely one for the scientifically minded!!
April 29, 2025
Er was eens een Grote Boze Wolf die meer dan genoeg had van alle SprookjesONZIN!
Volg de grote boze wolf terwijl hij zes favoriete sprookjes tegen het licht houdt in dit hilarische boek boordevol vrolijke feitjes.
Volg de grote boze wolf terwijl hij zes favoriete sprookjes tegen het licht houdt in dit hilarische boek boordevol vrolijke feitjes.
May 31, 2024
The audiobook would have been much better without the distracting jazz during the wolf's explanations. Why add something that makes it hard to concentrate on the words?!
October 15, 2024
An unique way of taking the classic stories that various generations have grown up with a strong scientific purpose, good to read together with the family.
December 1, 2024
Everyone needs to get the audiobook. It is an absolute delight!
December 7, 2024
The only scientific opinion that matters is Mr. Wolf's.
June 3, 2025
De Grote Boze Wolf is misnoegd, want hij wordt in sprookjes altijd als de slechterik weergegeven, terwijl hij eigenlijk best een lieve wolf is. Dat is toch niet eerlijk? Plus, als je eens even verder nadenkt, zijn er zo nog wel een hoop dingen die niet kloppen als je de sprookjes wetenschappelijk uitpluist. Als een echte fact-checker gaat de wolf dus aan de slag. Het resultaat is een leerrijk en grappig boek dat de draak steekt met sprookjes.
June 21, 2025
Fantastisch!!
April 25, 2024
All young readers like fairytales. Here a new twist, for child and adult to share. Read-able narrative is mixed with interesting pictures to reveal the truth. Well know fairytales are given the scientific once over to see if they would actually hold up in the real world. What do you think? Make your guess, read the book and see if you have what it takes to be the professor of fairytale science. Thank you to BloomsburyPublishing PLC (Uk and ANZ) and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews