Horrible Science Series

. Scholastic : 1998/2000. avg 160 pp. £3.99, $4.50

Horrible Geography Series

. Scholastic: 1998/2000. avg 160 pp. £3.99 , $4.50

All scientists know that science is great fun, as well as being intellectually rewarding. That sense of fun is caught brilliantly in the Horrible Science , Horrible Geography series. These series do much to fill the gap for older readers (12+), and appeal to younger children too.

The combination of jokes (in Nasty Nature the other fish see one with tartan skin say “What a trendy plaice!”), with lots of interestingly presented information (Nelson's diary of the Bounty mutiny in Vicious Veg is a classic) not only entertains, but educates. Children will relish the constant reminders that they can know more than their teachers.

Multiple-choice questions scattered through the text make a child (or an adult!) think about what an answer might be, rather than just learning it by rote. The pedants among us might quibble with some of the facts — for example, fungi are not really plants (maybe a sequel to Vicious Veg : Fateful Fungi?) — but, to be fair, the information is remarkably up to date.

One element of these books that shines out are the stories of scientists, their discoveries. Told with verve and style, the excitement of doing science really comes through. The Horrible Geography books are full of natural history: Raging Rivers has a section on the Amazonian fauna, and Odious Oceans a section about fish, crustacea and molluscs.

My daughter, when asked why she liked these books so much, said “They are hilarious, and you learn things too.” Sounds fun — just like science! See page 519for the author's address.