The World's Fair

This book makes the cut, not necessarily because I find it particularly endearing (although it is a lovely story, and ever so British in a Paddington Bear sort of way), but because this is the book responsible for my kids, 2 and a half and almost 5 in age, stomping around the house like dinosaurs, roaring and of course, very loudly.

And even more impressive is that my kids are actually uttering words like Triceratops, Iguanodon, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Ankylosaurus, Stegosaurus, and the like, which gives me no end of pleasure.

The book is also set in London's Natural History Museum, a place which happens to hold a special place in my heart, or perhaps more fitting, a special place in my head. You see, one of my earliest childhood memories is being confronted by this massive life size blue whale replica, the largest living animal in the world. As a child, I remember being in awe of this whole spectacle as it eerily hung in a huge hall within London's Natural History Museum. In one very big symbol, it seems to encompass all of my childhood ambitions and interests that led me to the world of biology. For this reason, I view it as an important part of why I am who I am today.

In retrospect, it's a little odd that I would have been so overwhelmed by this experience. But with all of my expertise in genetics and biochemistry, I find it strangely comforting to realize that none of my scientific knowledge can provide any reasonable explanation for why I would care so much for this really really big animal.

Anyway, if you're ever in London, you should check it out. For now, you can visit by clicking here.