This Book Will Make Einstein Relevant to Kids Today | Culture - WIRED

The new children’s book Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment, written by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, aims to introduce small children to the work of Albert Einstein. 

James Patterson's new children's book focuses on Maxine Einstein, a 12-year-old genius who idolizes Albert Einstein. Photo: Getty Images

It’s a challenge that Patterson initially found a bit daunting.

“The Einstein estate wanted to hook up with a publisher and a writer who would make sure kids around the world were familiar with Albert Einstein and his science,” Patterson says in Episode 340 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast. “And I guess because they’re Einstein people they were smart, and they insisted that it had to be entertaining, or kids wouldn’t read it.”

Patterson and Grabenstein decided to tell the story from the point-of-view of Maxine Einstein, a 12-year-old genius with a mysterious past. Max idolizes Albert Einstein, quotes him incessantly, and uses his ideas to solve problems. For example, at one point Max muses about whether she could use horse manure to heat her drafty tenement.
“It’s cool storytelling but it also has a little element of science to it,” Patterson says. “Kids like jokes about manure and things like that, so it gets them into it in a fun way.”...

“What Chris and I hoped to do was, for kids that don’t really know anything about Einstein it would be sort of a nice introduction,” he says. “But for kids who are really into science, it would stimulate them to find out a lot more about Einstein. So that’s our hope.”
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Source: WIRED