I’m excited by beautiful, informative books that inspire young minds to wonder and ask questions. Sabina Radeva’s inspired retelling of Charles Darwin’s seminal work On the Origin of Species is just such a book, using an amalgam of history and science with beautiful illustrations to make Darwin’s insights accessible to open minds of all ages.

It explains species and the variations within each, domestication and migration as well as Darwin’s theories of evolution and natural selection, in language that’s easy for all to understand and conveys the great scientist’s sense of wonder and excitement, often in his own words.

There’s important additional material at the back of the book, including the contribution by Alfred Wallace (an important mind of Darwin’s time), new ideas such as epigenetics and (most significantly) corrections to popular misconceptions that some hold even to this day. There’s an invaluable glossary for younger readers and a list of further reading for budding scholars.

This is a wonderfully multi-layered book that the whole family can savour and enjoy for many years. Very highly recommended for ages 6 to adult.

Athina Clarke is the children’s book buyer at Readings Malvern.