I forgot about getting dated part. Still, there may be some classic of the gender. Most of the children's non-fiction that catches the eye in the bookstore or library are DK Eyewitness and Discovery books. They have great pictures, as it seems to be the point, and they allow to choose your own level, but the material is sort of disjointed. On the other hand, maybe system is overrated. I would skip any introductory chapter. Works best with the chemistry kit manual: Elements? What elements? Let's just add this powder to that jar...