London, Oct 25: The world famous fictional stories of ‘Harry Potter’ have failed to cast a spell on renowned British evolutionary ethologist, Professor Richard Dawkins, who is questioning whether their depiction of witchcraft and wizardry has a negative effect on children.

The prominent atheist is stepping down from his post at Oxford University to write a book aimed at youngsters in which he will warn them against believing in "anti-scientific" fairytales.

Dawkins, who is the best-selling author of ‘The God Delusion’ has agreed to fund a series of atheist adverts on London buses, added that his new book will also set out to demolish the "Judeo-Christian myth".

"The book I write next year will be a children''s book on how to think about the world, science thinking contrasted with mythical thinking,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"I haven''t read Harry Potter, I have read Pullman who is the other leading children''s author that one might mention and I love his books. I don''t know what to think about magic and fairy tales,” he added. (ANI)