No, I'm talking about plain old AN8008. It starts to wash off even if you look at it dead on, and completely invisible if you look from the top. I've read similar complaints in the ANENG thread. It is nothing like Uni-T of Fluke that I have, not even close.
Try turning the backlight on. The Fluke displays I've seen wash out dramatically when viewed at anything beyond 90 degrees with the backlight on. Regardless, I've not found the AN8008 screen to be problematic when used normally. The meter does leave a fair few things to be desired, but the screen contrast doesn't seem to be an issue. Even when I compare it to high end meters.
I'm not sure I'd like to give a child a meter that isn't as safe as a meter should be, though. I understand an expensive meter isn't really in the books, but novices need safe and good quality meters even more than more experienced folks do. It'd probably be good to assume that he's going to poke it in the mains sooner or later, and that it may very well be on a current range when he does.