This is the gold standard for early science books. It doesn't talk down to kids, but it also doesn't drown them in jargon. If you have a kid who is constantly asking 'why' things are the way they are, Wendy Pfeffer’s books are a mandatory addition to the shelf.

It’s part of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, which is one of those rare collections that actually lives up to the hype. It’s educational without being dry, and the 2014 illustrations still feel fresh and engaging for a modern kid.