Eighteen board books. Six expert authors. One giant box of scientific curiosity for the smallest minds on the planet. Is this set worth it? As someone who believes deeply in early STEM exposure, my answer is an enthusiastic yes.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases, thank you.
What is in this set?
This complete collection brings together all 18 “for Babies” titles from the Baby University series into a single boxed set. Each book tackles a different branch of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and presents it using simple, colorful visuals and real scientific vocabulary. Topics covered include:
- Quantum Entanglement
- Rocket Science
- Evolution
- Statistical Physics
- Organic Chemistry
- Blockchain
- General Relativity
- Optical Physics
- Neural Networks
- Quantum Physics
- Quantum Computing
- And 6 more topics
Each book stands on its own and can be read in any order, which makes the set flexible for daily reading rotations.
- Authors: Chris Ferrie and 5 co-authors
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
- Published: May 12, 2020
- Books included: 18 board books
- Reading age: Baby to 2 years (and adults too)
- Topic: Science and nature
About the authors:
Chris Ferrie:
Physicist and Senior Lecturer at University of Technology Sydney. PhD in applied mathematics. Creator of the Baby University series and father of multiple children.
whurley (William Hurley):
Scientist and entrepreneur, founder of Strangeworks. Chair of the Quantum Standards Working Group at IEEE. Father of three and passionate science advocate.
Cara Florance:
Biochemist specializing in catalytic RNA. PhD from University of Colorado Boulder. Creator of Brave the Elements, a science resource for parents.
Julia Kregenow:
Senior Lecturer at Penn State University. PhD in astrophysics from UC Berkeley. Background in physics, mathematics, and music.
Marco Tomamichel:
World-leading researcher in quantum information theory and cryptography. PhD in theoretical physics from ETH Zurich.
Sarah Kaiser:
Quantum physicist and co-author in the Baby University series. Known for making advanced concepts accessible to broad audiences.
What I liked:
The single most impressive thing about this collection is its breadth without any sacrifice in quality. Whether a title is authored by Chris Ferrie or one of his expert co-authors, the tone, format, and scientific integrity stay consistent throughout. That level of editorial control across 18 books from multiple authors is not easy to achieve, and it shows.
Buying the complete set also makes financial sense compared to purchasing each title individually. You get an entire STEM library in one transaction, which is particularly valuable if you are building out an early childhood collection from scratch or looking for a meaningful gift.
The diversity of topics is another real strength. Most children’s science books stick to safe, familiar subjects like animals or space. This set goes much further, introducing babies to concepts like blockchain, quantum entanglement, and statistical physics. You will not find that anywhere else in the children’s board book market.
The physical presentation of the box itself is excellent. It looks impressive on a shelf, makes an immediate visual impact as a gift, and keeps all 18 titles organised and together rather than scattered around the house.
What I did not like:
With 18 books written by six different authors, there is naturally some variation in how engaging each individual title feels during read-aloud sessions. A small number of books in the set feel slightly more formulaic compared to the strongest entries, which stand out as genuinely delightful. This is not a serious criticism since the overall quality is high, but it is worth knowing that not every book in the collection will be your child’s favourite.
The weight of the full set at over 15 pounds is also something to plan around. This is not a set you grab off a shelf on a whim. It is a substantial gift that needs space, and the size may be a consideration if you are shipping it or wrapping it for a baby shower.
Additionally, parents who already own several individual Baby University titles may find there is meaningful overlap between what they have and what is included here. It is worth checking your existing collection before purchasing.
What works:
- 18 titles covering remarkable topic breadth
- Consistent quality across multiple authors
- Strong value compared to buying individually
- Scientifically accurate throughout
- Impressive as a gift presentation
- Durable baby-proof board book format
- Written by working scientists and academics
What to know:
- Over 15 pounds, so shipping and storage matter
- Some individual titles stronger than others
- May overlap with books you already own
- Large upfront cost vs buying titles one by one
Who is this set for?
- New parents building a library
- Baby shower gift givers
- STEM passionate families
- Daycares and nurseries
- Grandparents looking for a standout gift
- Early childhood educators
This set works especially well as a statement gift. It says something meaningful about the giver’s values around education, curiosity, and scientific thinking. For families who already own one or two Baby University titles and loved them, the complete set is a natural and satisfying next step.
Overall:
The Baby University Complete “for Babies” Board Book Set is one of those rare collections where the whole genuinely exceeds the sum of its parts. Each individual book is good. Eighteen of them together, written by working scientists across disciplines, form something that feels more like a philosophy than a product: the belief that children deserve honest science from the very first page.
If you are looking for a gift that will last years, spark thousands of questions, and sit proudly on a shelf long after babyhood, this is it.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases, thank you.