The Cat in the Box: Understand Schrödinger's Paradox and Quantum Theory with this Whimsical Rhyming Picture Book from the #1 Science Author for Kids

by Chris Ferrie

Finally, a simplified explanation of Schrödinger's cat paradox for quantum mechanics enthusiasts! Have you been lying awake at night pondering quantum superposition? Have you fretted about how to explain its flawed interpretation? Are you a fan of Schrödinger's cat? Or do you know someone who is? This is the book for you! Award-winning physicist, quantum enthusiast and bestselling author of the Baby University series Chris Ferrie, has transformed Schrödinger's paradox into a whimsical poem perfect for science fans or anyone who enjoys using cats and boxes to explain science experiments.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Poetry, Childrens, Physics, Picture Books, Graphic Novels

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2019

About the author

I am Chris Ferrie, father of four and happy husband. My day job is academic research where I follow my curiosity through the word of quantum physics. My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books.

Reviews

[Joe Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think many of us have heard of Schrodinger's Cat Paradox. Whether we understood it is another story. Here we get a short, simple explanation that should make it easier to grasp. Plus we get cute cat drawings! Perfect to reference at your next party when someone inevitably tries to explain this and gets it wrong.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure I've ever read a non-fiction book with talking animals and poetry, and what fun it is! With funny and dynamic illustrations, Ferrie discusses the problem with Schrodinger's paradox and how he figured out a way around it.  There's high contrast illustrations, and the rhyme scheme is (mostly) parsed out in a repetitive and lilting meter.  

Overall, I found this to be an at-times laugh out loud book, as Schrodinger's cat is finally given a voice of his own--and a voice that's smarter than the scientist itself!  Helpful indeed are the definitions of scientific words that are certainly geared towards those less familiar with chemistry and physics, such as atom, molecule, paradox, and quantum.  As far as a children's book goes for discussing these topics in a fun and exciting way, I'd have to say that The Cat in the Box is an easy success!  

Great for grades 3-5, and perfect for the young scientist.

Review cross-listed here!

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CAT IN THE BOX attempts to explain Schrodinger's work regarding quantum paradox. While the original thought experiment explained this, this cat in the box takes a different approach, actually talking about the quantum particles and the snapshot in time, where either possibility could be found. The book is written in verse and features lots of illustrations throughout.

What I loved: The illustrations are the best part of this book! There are so many fun drawings of Schrodinger and the cat, plus, of course, the box. I really enjoyed the illustrations. The length is also pretty short, as the verse is limited on each page and the illustrations take up quite a lot of space. This would be ideal length for younger or reluctant readers.

What left me wanting more: As someone who can understand Schrodinger's thought experiment, I found myself quite lost in this book. I needed to reread it a few times to understand it, and even then, I felt like I didn't fully get it. It was only in the context of what I already knew that I could understand this, so I don't feel like it did a great job at distilling or teaching the information to a younger audience.

Final verdict: Better in the context of learning physics, THE CAT IN THE BOX is an interesting poem that attempts to tackle complex concepts.

Please note that I received an ARC through Sourcebooks Early Reads. All opinions are my own.

[Dane Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of teaching deep concepts to kids and inspiring an interest in physics at an early age. Chris Ferrie’s “Baby University” series does an excellent job of explaining things like quantum physics and general relativity in easily understandable terms.

This book takes on the idea of Schrödinger’s Cat but unlike his other books, this one is written in verse form. That would be fine if the meter was correct, but for most stanzas the syllables are off so the rhythm doesn’t work, which throws off the pace of the story. If the meter was fixed so the whole book was in iambic pentameter, this would be another great read, but under the circumstances, this book would have been better written in prose.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, short verse and simplified explanation to one of my favourite theories: Schrodinger's cat - paradox for quantum mechanics enthusiasts! It was fun learning through short verse how this theory was formulated. With fun illustrations it was very engaging and a simple, quick way to get your head around the actual theory itself. "A cat sits in a closed box with a glass of poison, until the box is opened the cat can be considered dead or alive as both realities exist simultaneously, it's not until we open the box that we will know for sure whether the cat is dead or alive." It was a fun read! Special thanks to New South Books for sending me a review copy of this fun book!

[Yaritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must start by saying Math is my worst subject and I never took Physics. Probably the worst person to understand this book. I was hoping to learn something, but I was more confused at the end then I was at the beginning of this book. I was glad for the brief bio on Mr. Schrodinger, since I had no idea who he was. I think the illustrations were fun. The story was written in verse form that might have made it a little more complex to understand. I don't feel like this story will be understood by children. Quantum theory left be stumped and clueless just like Schrodinger. I must stick to what I know.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What a great way to make the concept of quantum mechanics understandable and a fun way to learn. I read it out loud to my 19 year old science/math oriented son and he started listening to be nice, but he found himself enjoying it and took the explanations a step further when I was done. (Yes, he has always questioned everything!!) This is an amazing educational experience for everyone and I highly recommend it! Oh, and definitely read it aloud!!

Thank you to Sourcebooks for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing about Schrodinger's Cat on TBBT, I snatched up this little book, eager to read more. I'm definitely science-challenged, but I could nevertheless appreciate this as a cute attempt to explain the theory is not the paradox we thought. There is no mystery; only a series of definite, but arbitrary possibilities. It's interesting to think of the future as endless possibilities. But one must open the box for the surprise!

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this twice, hoping to like it! UGH! If you are a PhD Student this might interest you, a kid, um not even close. I was reading it as reality intelligent person going "WHAT THE WHAT!?"

It did make interested in learning more Dr Schrödinger but I am also worried that he was mentally ill while thinking about physics! Weird! (But I don't think I mean weird in a bad way, sometimes good ideas come from weird thoughts.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have I been lying awake at night pondering quantum superposition? No.
Have I fretted about how to explain its flawed interpretation? Also no.
But did I read this book? Yes.

Do I now understand quantum physics? Again, no.

But it is a bit clearer than before. Unfortunately, I usually do not talk about this, so I will probably forget in a bit. But it was fun to read, and I really liked the drawings.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in the children's department at my local library. A simplified retelling of the Schrodinger's Cat Paradox, accompanied by cute illustrations. Just wish it had come with a glossary, as my child liked the book, but it required a lot of explanation. She grasped paradox and probability, but required some help understanding half-lifes and entanglement.

[LillyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book that attempts to explain quantum superposition using cats, boxes, and poetry in a way that is similar to but different than Schrödinger's famous thought experiment. I appreciated the effort, but physics still makes my head hurt, even with my favorite furry creatures involved.

[Diana Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it. I don't know that I'm more enlightened on the subject than I was before. Perhaps not having the text in verse would have helped, as I found the author's note at the end the best to aid my understanding.

It does say the book is a simplified explanation "for quantum mechanics enthusiasts." And that, I am not.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for geeks and nerds plus it rhymes. I didn’t really come out of it understanding quantum physics or quantum entanglement more but it made me ponder it a lot. And there are fewer dead cats indeed.

Thanks to the publisher for access to the review copy.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Early Readers program for my copy to review. This book is cute and will make a fun "stocking stuffer" type of gift for adults, in my opinion. The meter was not correct and this bothered me probably more than it should, but the illustrations were fun.

[dobbs the dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the author trying to make Schrödinger’s Cat paradox more accessible, but I’m not sure if he did? He at least made it less morbid, so I guess that’s good. And perhaps it would have made more sense to someone who didn’t already understand it?
Anyway, fun read with fun illustrations.

[Emmy Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this; it has a Dr. Seuss vibe and less death than the original thought experiment.

[Alisha]

Words that stuck out to me: quantum event (and some other word that starts with "e", damn my bad memory), measurement, entanglement, superpostition.

[Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing application of quantum

[Stacyand Brody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Audrey Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly I still dont really get the paradox, but it was cute with nice illustrations and I'd probably read it to my children anyway

[Noah Letner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice illustrated explanation of the great physics question.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming.

[PB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most simplified explanation possible for a very complex quantum theory thought experiment... I have to admit I'm still left a little baffled 😆 more baffled than ever, actually.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comical, rhyming story about Schrodinger's cat and the experiments in and out of the box.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great book! It took something and explained it in a way that even a child could read this book and understand. I wish that there were more books like this around when I was younger.

[Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simplified explanation of Schrödinger’s cat paradox.
Poems and science combined. 🤩

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through NetGalley and Edelweiss.

[Kiara Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm no scientist or quantum physicist, but, this was fun.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is overly cheesy if you're of high school age and older, but for someone super young, it could be a solid starting base if they're interested in learning more about science. I don't get why this wasn't in the kids section of my local library, though.