Quantum Entanglement for Babies

Baby University

by Chris Ferrie

Quantum Entanglement for Babies is a colorful and simple introduction to one of Nature's weirdest features. Entanglement has puzzled even the world's greatest scientists. Maybe with an early start, Baby will be the first to understand it!

Genres: Science, Childrens, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Physics

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2014

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

[Hossein · Rating 2 out of 5]

به اندازه نسبیت عامِ این سری، قابل فهم نبود و به نظرم اگه کسی بخونه حسابی گیج میشه. در این حد که اگه برا اولین بار این کتاب رو میدادن به خودِ من و میگفتن انتنگلمنت اینه، کتاب رو پرت میکردم :)

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

For his 2014 STEM themed Quantum Entanglement for Babies (and part of the Baby University series of board books) author/illustrator and quantum physics professor Chris Ferrie uses four coloured balls (two red balls and two blue balls) as visual metaphors to simplify the science behind the physics phenomenon of quantum entanglement down to its core concepts, with two of the balls in question being placed in boxes and given to two young children, to Alice and to Bob, and with neither of them knowing what colour ball is in their respective box (but because the balls are supposedly like quantum-entangled particles of atoms, we for some reason should know that they, that the balls will be of the same colour).

But indeed, if the above summary of Ferrie's text and accompanying illustrations for Quantium Entanglement for Babies feels and reads as being rather majorly confusing, sorry, but quantum entanglement is a pretty advanced concept for young children (for an intended board book audience) to understand, to relate to. And to tell the truth, I myself as an older adult reader have not really at all understood the visual examples Chris Ferrie is using for Quantum Entanglement for Babies either and so much so in fact that I personally would not really ever feel comfortable with reading Quantum Entanglement for Babies with or to the intended age group, with or to young children from two to five years of age. Because in fact and sadly, Chris Ferrie's explanations of quantum entanglement and in particular the balls in boxes as metaphors scenarios he uses as examples, they have not only confused me considerably more regarding quantum entanglement than I already was going in, they also make me consider Quantum Entanglement for Babies rather a major failure with regard to basic comprehensibility and with regard to actually and sufficiently explaining quantum entanglement both to young children and also in my opinion to many adults as well (which for me and since I also cannot aesthetically stand Ferrie's flat, lifeless and bland accompanying artwork for Quantum Entanglement for Babies I am sorry to say makes me only consider but one star for a rating and to definitely consider Quantum Entanglement for Babies the hands-down worst and the most confusing instalment of Chris Ferrie's Baby University board books I have encountered and read to date).

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Today’s book is Quantum Entanglement For Babies by Chris Ferrie, a introduction to the titular physics phenomenon for little ones.

Using a series of visual metaphors, the book attempts to simplify the phenomenon of quantum entanglement down to its core concepts. It introduces four balls, two red and two blue. Two of the balls are put into boxes and given to two people, Alice and Bob. Neither person knows what color ball is in their box, but because the balls are like quantum-entangled particles, we know that they will the same.

If that summary is a bit confusing, well, you’re not alone. Quantum entanglement is a pretty advanced concept for little readers to grasp, and I just don’t think this book hits the mark. To be frank, I’m not even sure I understood the subject any better after reading the book, much less JJ. One of the problems seems to be the illustrations which, while simple and boldly-colored to lay out the science neatly, are a bit flat and lifeless. The length was fine, and the language was easily digestible for readers JJ’s age, but the message never felt very clear, which is ostensibly the book’s intent. It’s hard not to compare this to the books from the excellent Baby Loves Science series by Ruth Spiro, which manages to impart complex scientific concepts in a far more approachable and colorful way. Overall, this was not a bad book; any book that encourages an interest in STEM in young children is okay by me, and other readers might find it more engaging. But for us, it didn’t quite light the spark of curiosity. So we will call it Baby Bookworm approved, with an asterisk.

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Melissa Swistek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Help! Neither my toddler nor I understand what quantum entanglement is after reading this book.

This book is confusing and does not seem to be either educational, beautiful, or fun for babies. Both the illustrations and the text were awful. This falls into the category of baby books that you buy because of the title and leave on the bookshelf so others can think how genius you and your little scientist baby must be.

[Ronan Crutchfield]

I liked opening and shutting this book. I hardly let my mom read it!

[Marcela · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2-yo is obsessed with this book.

[Odette Brethouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eigenlijk best heel grappig, en echt wel goed uitgelegd! Maar hoeveel ze er nou echt van meekrijgen.. Vooral leuk voor de ouders denk ik, hoewel het wel mooie kleurrijke boekjes zijn.

[Rohini B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I am actually babie, because I learned /things/. Excited to read more baby books on advanced concepts in physics and eventually work my way up to a KG reading level!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not feel any more enlightened about this subject after reading. no way this helps babies or little kids understand quantum entanglement.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting - a picture book that could magically explain quantum entanglement to both me and my 2 year old? - but whatever it was, I didn't get it from this book. The illustrations are pretty bland and I guess the basic concept is explained, but that's about it. I definitely give it points for trying, but overall we weren't too into it.

[Maria Shuffit · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I love the advanced science for babies books, this one failed to hit the mark for me. Even as an adult, reading this book intended for babies, it didn't really make the concept very clear to me. But hey - bright blue and red circles on the pages sure appealed to my 1-year-old!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uummmmmmmm...huh? Obviously written for parents, other than the brightly colored board book part.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't understand it 😂

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ferrie, Chris Quantum Entanglement for Babies. BOARD BOOK. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, JULY 2017. $10.

When particles become entangled, it means they are exactly the same as each other no matter how far apart they are.

The concept of entanglement is very simply explained and I’m sure little ones will get the gist. However, their parents will want to know a lot more. I know I and my science-minded husband did. I think I need to show this to a physics teacher and see what they say.

Pre-K – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Zephyrus White · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Quantum Entanglement for Babies!!! How is that possible??? Well, my two year old niece and I read this over the weekend and it was wonderful. Mr. Ferrie was able to distill a very complex theory into a fun easy to understand narrative. After we read the book we played Schrödinger's cat with a stuffed kitty and a box. Of course, she doesn't understand QE theory, but now it's a part of her world and maybe it won't be so daunting the next time she encounters a mind boggling theory. This series of books is an amazing tool to introduce children to science. Next up for Stella and I.... Rocket Science for Babies.

[Ewa25 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads giveaway. The quality of the board book is very good, pictures are nice, but not very engaging. I read it alone and with my 2 and 4-year-old. I always had some trouble understanding quantum entanglement and after reading this simplified explanation for babies, my understanding is in around the same place. I kind of get it, but cannot explain it to anyone. My kids were not very interested. Maybe the colors are too subdued or the text not engaging for them. We'll revisit it in some time.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of trying to explain such an advanced concept to younger people with the hopes of getting them interested in the field of science. I think the problem is that if you try and explain something too advanced, even in a simplified form, you risk losing that person's interest. It's a fine line.

Overall, the simple drawings and bold colours are attractive for babies and should hold their interest, even if the actual physics may be too much for them to grasp.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First-Reads.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the simplified explanation and drawings of Chris Ferrie's Quantum Entanglement for Babies. Definitely a book I would give to my future grandchildren. Not only a great way of explaining Quantum Entanglement to children but a quick "aha" for adults just not getting the concept through traditional teachings. Reminds me of my "aha" moment when reading Terry Pratchett's explanation of E=MC2 in the first volume of The Science of Discworld.

[Andrés · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of this series (only liked 1 of the 5ish I've read so far), but this is the absolute worst. As an adult, I do not understand quantum entanglement after reading this; not even the gist. I had to go back and re-read pages to try to understand what the author was trying to explain, and I still wasn't really successful. Illustrations are plain as usual, so neither justifies the book for little ones.

[Kristin R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this one out from the library after listening to the Professional Book Nerds interview of author/illustrator Chris Ferrie. I felt like I wanted to support the author after he gave what seemed to be the most painful author interview ever.

If you have babies to read to, and you want to expose them to quantum physics, check out this book!

[May Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't get it.

If I don't get it, surely the babies won't understand it as well. So what if there's a ball in the box, nobody knows what type of ball they are but no matter what happens, they will get the same ball.

And then what??? I scratch my head in utter confusion.

Guess this book is a reminder why STEM is not for me after all.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another childrens book from the same author of General Relativity for Babies this time focusing in on a very simplified version of Quantum Physics. Given, this was intended for parents and other adults feeling silly so it still hits the right target audience with a little bit of nostalgia for the pacing and rhymes of childhood stories.

[Salwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although my 3yo has memorized this book, I don't think it was explained very well. It seems its an effort to draw pictures per the complex definition meant for adults. Quantum entanglement could have been explained more relatively to kids in other ways too.

[Mr. Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy read me this book that we borrowed from the library.

[Rebecca Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets an extra star for being even more hilarious of a concept than General Relativity for Babies. Stars for the effort.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this is designed more for adults' amusement than for actually teaching babies quantum entanglement. It does do a fairly decent job of explaining in a simplistic manner though.

[Christine Heron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um, sure. I’ll bet a physics geek will love it.

[Emily D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a little confusing for babies, but I just love that these books exist!

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I still don't have a full grasp on quantum entanglement, but a spark has been lit! I love this series. Yes, it's for babies, ha!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit, I don't get it.