The Budding Scientist?

In a funny and honest  article from the Guardian, writer Tim Dowling considers science books. He brings home a heap of them for his kids and includes several listed for the Aventis prize, a U.K. award. Dowling writes,

Looking over the Aventis shortlist, it seems that the magic formula for attracting children is common knowledge. All the books are large in format and slim, with eye-catching graphics and lots of boxed-off text. Each has the look of a mildly disappointing birthday present.

My youngest child, who is five, regards all books with suspicion. When presented with six shortlisted science books, he burst into tears and stormed out of the room, although he later came back and snatched the one about earthquakes off the pile.