SACCHARINE books about the adorable things children say and do can be too much even for proud parents to bear.
Fortunately this attempt to scientifically answer childhood questions, such as "Why is the sky blue?", is a cut above.
Father Knows Less: Or Can I Cook My Sister? by Wendell Jamieson. Hardie Grant Books, rrp $24.95
Author Wendell Jamieson, New York Times city editor, has taken parent-stumping questions to scores of experts.
In answer to his son's question, "What hurts more, being run over by a car or stung by a jellyfish?", a medical pain specialist explains why it's the sea creature.
But the author also finds the answer from a man who, as a seven year old, got run over and stung by a jellyfish one unlucky summer.
It is these extra efforts - like asking Yoko Ono why The Beatles broke up - that turn this simple concept into a quirky and enjoyable read.
A police chief explains just why cops love donuts and a Wrigleys director details what happens when you swallow chewing gum.
There are some brilliant questions here from some sharp kids, answered in a refreshingly non-patronising way.
Even more entertaining is where the experts appear stumped by the kids' questions.
Beautifully written, this is a tribute to childhood curiosity.
