Written as part of the Mysterious You series, Aha! is an eclectic overview of scientific, cultural, and anecdotal information about intelligence. The design is attractive with its lush palette of lime, lilac, peach, and rose, and its funky cartoons. Visually, Aha! is definitely eye candy.

Rather than seeking to exhaust the topic, the book, which is, after all, only 40 pages, is an introduction into the realm of the mind. Romanek has chosen a lateral approach recognizing the wider concept of genius. Not only Stephen Hawking but also Tiger Woods, Virginia Woolf, and Madame Curie have sections devoted to their particular brainy skills. A section on disabilities focuses on Barbara Arrowsmith, a learning-disabled woman whose brainchild, the Arrowsmith School, helps children overcome their academic obstacles. Romanek outlines dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a straightforward, non-stigmatizing way. She describes the wild boy of Aveyron, a French jungle boy (c. 1797) who never acquired speech because he missed that period of development. Einstein’s actual brain, Mozart’s prodigious musical talent, Virginia Woolf’s depression, and other mind oddities are explored. Colourful sidebars offer weird snippets: how to tell if you are right- or left-brain dominant, how to test your dog’s intelligence, plus sample Mensa questions that fully engage the reader. These sidebars support the main text without pedantry.

A glimpse into a quirky world, Aha! is a compelling taste that will fascinate children and possibly spur them on to deeper study of the topic. Included for easy reference is a convenient, comprehensive index.