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THE shortlist for the Aventis Junior Science Book Prize is a decidedly mixed bag. First let’s shake off Earthquake, in which you can fast forward through an earthquake. It’s a neat idea, but poorly executed. The tone is patronising and the illustrations frankly amateurish.

It is a relief, then, to open the Night Sky Atlas. Stuffed to bursting with starry facts and brilliant see-through constellations, it helps you follow the sky month by month. I have a tiny gripe about the tiny type.

Endangered Planet is a strong, straight tale of humankind’s attempts to wreck our home planet. Overwhelmingly sincere without being cloying, it’s good solid stuff, though a tad lacking in star quality.

That criticism cannot be levelled at Microscopic Life, with its enthrallingly detailed pictures of life writ small. It’s big on the deliciously gruesome, especially when it comes to diseases: smallpox pustules, elephantiasis, flaky athlete’s foot, giant head lice…a rather obvious bid for the child’s vote, perhaps.

Rather more sophisticated is Mysteries and Marvels of Science. It flirts with the biggies of physics and is spot on with the latest ideas, tackling string theory head on with no hint of dumbing down. A slick read, very slick.

But the star prize for sheer innovation goes to What Makes Me Me? Beautifully produced, it’s a really relaxing read and skilfully stuffed with surprising facts – such as people being 50 per cent banana (genetically speaking). The frequently asked questions and do-try-this-at-home children’s experiments are the clincher. See whether you can spot the fake smiles… Get it while it’s hot.