Ask Albert Einstein

Children's Literature

What a terrific book for young readers; it is imaginatively written and wonderfully executed. A note explains that the story is based upon a request for help with a math problem which Albert Einstein received from a fifteen-year-old student. He responded and the story appeared in The New York Times. The fictionalized version, nicely illustrated by the author, takes place in 1952. A young girl learns that Einstein is the most famous scientist and mathematician in the world, so she writes to him for help with a problem her big sister is wrestling with and the great man replies with a diagram offering a clue to the equation. The text draws the reader into the time and place and the story has warmth and charm. The quotes included from Albert Einstein offer insight to the man: "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." "The only reason for time is so everything doesn't happen at once." "Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift." 2005, Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus and Giroux, Ages 7 to 11.
—Carolyn Mott Ford

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-A delightful story based on an article in the New York Times in 1952. Seven-year-old April idolizes her 15-year-old sister, Annabel, who can do almost anything but has trouble with math. The teen's teacher has given her one last chance to earn a decent grade by solving a particularly difficult problem. When Annabel cries, "Who does she think I am, Albert Einstein?" April's curiosity and compassion for her sister result in a surprising solution to the whole dilemma, as well as to the math problem. After doing a little research about the famous scientist's life, she decides to write him a letter describing her sister's situation. He responds in an unusual, but ultimately helpful way. According to an author's note, Einstein really did find the time to go over equations with children who asked for assistance. Barasch provides a refreshing mix of genres and subjects that will appeal to many readers. The nostalgic cartoon illustrations and numerous quotes from the international figure add charm to this enchanting tale.-Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

When seven-year-old April sees her adored older sister Annabel struggling with her trigonometry, she appeals to Albert Einstein for help. April ingenuously narrates the story, which takes place in 1952 and is based on an actual historical incident. This is promising enough stuff, but Barasch's tale just tries too hard to be complete. April's quest for help for her sister takes her to the library, where she reads "a lot of confusing stuff." Not understanding it, but writing it down anyway, April attempts to distill such complex matters as the theory of relativity-a well-meaning effort that is likely to baffle her readers. That Einstein comes through in the end will not surprise those readers, but they are as unlikely to understand the answer he provides as they are the initial trigonometry problem. The concept is appealing enough-famous scientist helps kid-and the loose watercolor vignettes ably convey both Annabel's anxiety and April's desire to help, but the narrative's attempt to convey even the bare bones of Einstein's theory serves only to confuse the readers it hopes to communicate with. (Picture book. 5-8)