A podcast about history, science, tales and everything in between.

What is perception? How do we see the world? How do our senses trick and lie to us? Through a series of simple experiments you can try at home we look at all these questions. We then delve deeper into our perception and understanding of the world around us. Most people perceive themselves as above average, can’t take on new ideas and misremember events. Being aware of this will help us all understand the world and each other with deeper respect.

We are honoured to be joined by the very charming George McGavin. One of the leading entomologists he taught at the University of Oxford before embarking on TV career that has taken him deep into the jungles of Guyana, New Guinea and more. Always lively and passionate George is full of stories of his adventures and the importance of understanding our position in, and the protection of, our fragile environment.

War is never nice but sometimes it drives people to their extremes. In desperation to gain the upper hand all logic and rational thought is flung out the window and insane proposals for weapons are put forth. From dropping cakes seeded with anthrax on herds of cows to bats with bomb-backpacks and giant siege towers to expanding foam guns mankind has devised some odd and, let’s be honest, terrifying devices. Join us as we travel through time discovering some of the strangest.

In possibly our most uncomfortable episode yet for Anton we talk Oxen! In school history lessons they just seem to turn during the agricultural revolution to help with crop rotation and then disappear. But what exactly are Oxen, how are they used, where do they come from and what is their history? We travel the world to answer all these questions.

After its independence in 1821 Costa Rica was a poor nation with very little outside trade but one man, from a small island halfway around the world, would change that. This episode we tell his remarkable story.

Dec 23rd, 2020 Come settle down next to the fire, help yourself to a mince pie and glass of mulled wine for we have a festive delight for you. This episode we take a relaxed look at popular toys from days gone bye, what will Anton make of Tonka Trucks, Pet Rocks and Cabbage Patch kids? But it’s not long until the warmth of the fire sends the drowsy child to sleep, but he’s awoken by a visitor checking up which list, naughty or nice, he should be on…

This episode we go nuts! Conkers and hazelnuts to be exact! Have you ever heard of Melch Dick, a forest guardian who punished children for picking unripe nuts? Or do you know why Ministry of Munitions asked school children to collect conkers during WW1? We also interview Conker Cup representative and host of Chestnut Chat, ‘Mr Conkers’, who tells us all about the exciting sport.

In this gruesome episode we look at corpse medicine. For thousands of years humans have used other humans for medicine. Not only do we look at the history but we actually recreate some of the famous concoctions!

Our love of colour goes deep into the depths of prehistory to a time when humans weren’t exactly like they are today. Artists all over the world have sought out new pigments, new colours, to wow and amaze. But the processes in creating them have often been unusual and even deadly!

Every 19 September is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and we thought we’d celebrate with some pirate tales, history and facts. We aren’t just looking at the golden age of piracy though - we take our time machine to see how Julius Caesar handles being captured by pirates and tell the tale of Eustace the Black Monk. Anton uncovers various pirate facts and rights some wrongs in how we view them and teaches me some pirate lingo! So let’s hoist our sails and journey together once more.

This episode we travel far back in time to look at some frozen dogs found in the Siberian tundra. These amazingly preserved animals are helping scientists understand the evolution and domestication of modern-day canines - could they be ancestors of the first Russian space dogs? We follow this with the life of Margaret Ann Neve, the first woman to live to 110 years and span three different centuries – truly a Guernsey Great!

Since the last episode Anton has turned 10 so as a little treat and a sign of his new levels of responsibility he selected the topic for this show. It’s fun and maybe a tiny bit rude but still full of science, facts and history!

On 28 June 1940 the sound of German aircraft filled the skies over the Channel Islands, they were followed by the whistle of bombs and the crack of explosions. The islands had been demilitarised but a row of trucks on quay of St Peter Port's harbour were mistake for military vehicles and destroyed - red liquid spilling from them, their cargo of tomatoes symbolic of the 34 civilians killed in the attack.

Every person alive today is here thanks to pollinators – bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles and more. They are vital to all life on our planet but their habitats aren’t always protected. Anton investigates the pollinators found in Guernsey and the Pollinator Project – a local initiative to help protect and raise awareness of their importance. I then tell of a traumatic event that happened to me several nights ago and the effect it had on my brain and body!

This episode we look at the winners of the WriteStuff, a local writing competition for school children and part of the Guernsey Literary Festival. In our second feature I discuss vultures – their myths, their resistance to botulism and their poo!

This episode we leave lockdown to see what’s living in the rock pools at low tide - far away from other humans - and discover a lot of crabs! Anton tells us more about our many legged friends and I discover what barnacles actually are. We then island hop to the Banda Islands, the home of nutmeg, a spice with an interesting history and effects on your body if you consume too much.

We begin with Anton’s look at pre-Christian festivals that may have inspired Easter as well as odd modern day traditions, then Curious Mummy shares her experience of Easter in Russia and her love of Fabergé eggs. Being our unlucky 13th episode I delve into where this superstition may have come from and we remember that, 50 years ago to the day, Apollo 13 was struck by some bad luck but saved by some amazing minds.

Anton is feeling a bit off colour but bravely soldiers on in this episode about viruses. We start by looking at who discovered them and when, then shrink down to investigate if they are living organism or not. After getting so close to a virus it’s wise to wash your hands so we do just this and find out how soap destroys them. Finally we offer a little friendly advice to keep you all going. Stay safe.

Anton discovered a 500-year-old journal that has been handed down by generations of archaeologists exploring the history of the Maya. Something very strange happens when we open it as we’re transported back in time. Continuing the Chronometry theme I look why we have leap years and how they lead to 11 missing days.

In 1203 Richard the Lionheart’s favourite castle is sieged after his death. Will it survive or will the French find a humorous fatal design flaw? In Anton Investigates he reveals all and also looks at the role of medieval blacksmiths. We also listen to the voice of a 3000 year-old Egyptian mummy thanks to cutting edge research and introduce our first funny phobia – Shuicaophobia!

We are back and with our most delicious episode ever!Anton and I are joined by Curious Granny and Curious Gramps as we taste our way through a multitude of chocolate bars learning a little about each along the way. What’s the fourth kind of chocolate? How many cocoa beans would buy a slave? And who was the neighbour of the man who invented milk chocolate? We explore all this and more whilst enjoying a lot of Quetzalcoatl’s gift to mankind (and why did I share so much? I must be crazy!).

We were very lucky to get a microscope for Christmas and discuss the tiny creatures we found in a local duck pond. With the dawn of 2020 we then look at funny and unusual past predictions of the future to see if they got the present correct (not exactly!) - Anton also throws a few of his own predictions into the pot. Finally, we announce our first ever Curiosity of a Children Person of the Year winner 🏆!

Happy Christmas one and all. We know the only gift you want this year is more Curiosity of a Child. This episode Anton explores some strange and funny traditions from around the world. Then things get a bit darker when I look at the history of St Nicholas.It's nearly midnight here and Santa will be arriving soon so I better get to bed and pretend to be asleep as so of what I read is rather scary!If you’re in the Christmas spirit please leave us a lovely review.

In part two of our Sir Isaac Brock Guernsey Greats feature we visit the War of 1812. How will Brock cope against the American invasion of Canada and will he create a legacy that lasts the test of time?Anton then becomes quizmaster as he challenges granny, gramps and myself to a series of Stone Age themed questions!

Anton discovers that by eating bananas he is in fact 50% cannibal! Then we take a look at the life of Sir Isaac Brock, Hero of Upper Canada but born here in Guernsey however we end on a cliff-hanger with the outbreak of the war of 1812.

Have you ever noticed how your finger is just the right size to fit up your nose? Surely this must be for a reason. We examine some interesting research about bogies and also explore how Anton’s nasal flu vaccine works.

In part two of our Halloween special we pit a Vampire, Cyclops, Werewolf and Zombie hoard against each other in battle to be crowned The Curiosity of a Child Halloween Monster Champion of The Year 2019. Who will win this epic battle? Who should you take with you whilst trick or treating? Grab a comfy seat and a handful of Halloween treats and we’ll reveal the answer.

The nights grow long and dark, Halloween approaches and all kinds of creatures begin to stir. In the first of a Halloween two parter we examine a witches spell in close detail, could the mistresses of the night really be concocting treats for unsuspecting children? We then introduce you to four monsters of myth and legend who will go head-to-head in the arena to be crowned the Curiosity of a Child Halloween Monster Champion. Listen to part two of this special extended edition for the result.

Anton continues his look at dolmens by searching the annals of history for local folktales about them. What he discovers is the dark truth about fairies. I subject him to another spice - this one fit for the emperor of China!

This episode Anton tastes the spice turmeric - what will he think? We then explore where it’s from. it’s history and it’s uses. In the first Anton Investigates he looks at prehistoric structures called dolmens and we record live from inside one of these amazing ancient tombs. Finally, to end the show, we follow a guide on Brain Surgery from Nick Arnold's Horrible Science Bulging Brains book. Will the operation proceed as planned or will our first show also be our last?