11 Experiments That Failed

Jenny Offill ∙ Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Paperback

Published on Jun 16, 2026 | 40 Pages

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Hardcover

Published on Sep 27, 2011 | 40 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Sep 27, 2011 | 32 Pages

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Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

A hilarious how-to of "science" experiments, dreamed up by a wildly imaginative kid.

Is it possible to eat snowballs doused in ketchup—and nothing else—all winter? Can a washing machine wash dishes? By reading the step-by-step instructions, kids can discover the answers to such all-important questions along with the book’s curious narrator. Here are 12 "hypotheses," as well as lists of "what you need," "what to do," and "what happened" that are sure to make young readers laugh out loud as they learn how to conduct science experiments (really!). Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter—the ingenious pair that brought you 17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore—have outdone themselves in this brilliant and outrageously funny book.

Award Winner

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2011:
"This is a most joyful and clever whimsy, the kind that lightens the heart and puts a shine on the day. Go ahead, break a few dishes in the washing machine, see the humor and enjoy this fine poke at every science fair that ever was."

ISBN 9798217125005 (Paperback)
Published on Jun 16, 2026
Published by Dragonfly Books
Pages 40
Dimensions 11 x 9-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9780375847622 (Hardcover)
Published on Sep 27, 2011
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Pages 40
Dimensions 11 x 9-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9780375983849 (Ebook)
Published on Sep 27, 2011
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Pages 32
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

Jenny Offill

Jenny Offill is the author of the novels Last Things (a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the L.A. Times First Book Award), and Dept. of Speculation, which was shortlisted for the Folio Prize, the Pen Faulkner Award and the International Dublin Award. She lives in upstate New York and teaches at Syracuse University and in the low residency program at Queens University.