While waiting to meet a famous scientist at her mum’s work, Mary (who wants to win a Nobel Prize when she grows up) stumbles into a room in which a man in a crumpled lab coat is talking to someone who looks suspiciously like Albert Einstein. Mary sneaks closer (one things all scientists have in common is an insatiable sense of curiosity) and realises it IS Albert Einstein! The man in the coat, Professor Marshall, explains she has discovered a secret meeting of all the Nobel Prize winners of the past who gather together to discuss science (and peace).

After she threatens to reveal all, Professor Marshall agrees to take Mary back in time to meet the scientists at their work and talk about the secret to winning a Nobel Prize (a lot of hard work, curiosity, perseverance and a healthy disregard for the things ‘everyone’ knows to be true!). Between each chapter is a science experiment related to the scientist Mary was just talking to – don’t worry, Marie Curie’s related experiment is completely safe! This is a great, simple book for kids 8+ with an interest in science.

Dani Solomon is the assistant manager at Readings Kids.