Comment #272471 by a non e-moose

In my exerience, fantasy geeks (I've known quite a few of them) are typically more rational and intellifgent than the average joe.

"Richard Dawkins says he will spend his retirement writing a book for children."

"I have read Pullman who is the other leading children's author .."

"I would like to know whether there is any evidence that bringing children up to believe in spells and wizards has a pernicious effect."

Get the message? Sorry to sound abrubt, but I am just bewildered as to why so many seem to be missing the point (in my view).

Books that encourage critical thinking, and reveals the wonder of science, for children, could, especially if it can get into schools, be one of the most important ways we can attack irrationality and the increasing problem of creationism and anti-science attitudes.

I was very strongly influenced by being given a child's science encylopaedia at age 4. I have really never "recovered" from that.