
A podcast about history, science, tales and everything in between.
A father (aged a few multiples of 10!) and son (aged 10) discuss things they are curious about from science and history to monsters and games. We look at the quirky and unusual from around the world as well as seeking out local history, events and characters. We try and it keep friendly and embrace what we discover as the world is an amazing place.

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.

24: Old toys and Christmas elves
What will anton make of older gifts?
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…

23: We go nuts!
Hazelnut folklore and the Conker Cup
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.

22: Corpse Medicine
Halloween Special
It's Halloween and we have a suitably gruesome episode for you. For thousands of years humans have used other humans for medicine and we recreate some of the famous concoctions.

21: Pigments that poison
We look at the history and science of colour
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!

20: Talk like a necromancer pirate monk!
Arrrr!
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.

19: The oldest woman in the world
And a look at frozen dogs
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!

18: Something smelly
The science and history of farts
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!

17: Fortress Guernsey
The Nazi invasion and occupation of the Channel Islands
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.

16: Our friendly pollinators
Bees, butterflies and fear is in the mind
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!

15: Freedom
Guernsey Literary Festival WriteStuff winners & Vulture poo!
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!

14: Nutmeg
Revisiting the Spice Islands and rock pool life
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.

13: Easter traditions
Fabergé eggs and why is 13 unlucky?
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.

12: Let’s soap that Corona
How soap destroys viruses
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.

11: Time travelling Mayan journal
And how we lost 11 days
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.

10: The Lionheart’s castle
And talk like an Egyptian
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!

9: The great taste of chocolate
We discover the history and it’s many flavours
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!).

8: 2020 according to 1950
Odd future predictions & a close look at pond water
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 🏆!

7: The darker side of Christmas
Lock your doors and block your chimney…
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.

6: 1812: Sir Issac Brock part 2
And a stone age quiz
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!

5: Sir Isaac Brock part 1: Early life
& cannibalistic bananas
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.

4: Bogies are good for you
& how do vaccnines work?
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.

3.2: Halloween special part 2
Monster battles — terrible maths included!
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.

3.1: Halloween special part 1
Witch’s e‑numbers & mythical monsters
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.

2: The truth about fairies
And breath fresh enough for an emperor
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 emporer of China!

1: Turmeric tasted, dolmens and brain surgery
Welcome to the first ever episode of The Curiosity of a Child presented by a father and son team.
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?