The Diary of Curious Cuthbert

by Jack Challoner, Kate Mayfield (Illustrator)

Meet scientist, inventor, thinker, hero Cuthbert Armeeni, who lives in a land where people use satellites to predict the weather but no one knows that germs cause disease; where calendars can skip a month by royal decree; and where cats can talk – or can they? Discover some of the stories from his own diary, retold in rhyme.

Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2019

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended with the IEW: Wonders of Science curriculum that I am teaching this year.

This book is fun, silly, and delightful. Written in verse, it reads like Dr. Seuss. Very clever and entertaining, I found myself giggling as I read. Parents may want to talk about chapter three, which discusses ghosts, death, and what happens after death. I don't believe the book should be dismissed because of this chapter. After all, Cuthbert is a child and trying to reason as a child. I see it as a great opportunity to talk about important concepts regarding death and spirit. Here are the general themes.
Chapter 1: is about weather
Chapter 2: Is about a talking cat
Chapter 3: Is about death
Chapter 4: Is about getting sick
Chapter 5: Is about time
Chapter 6: is about making invisibility

[Emma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Definitely recommend it

[Neil Zealand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny for young and old, great source of science!

[Michael Daines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t remember how I found out about “The Diary of Curious Cuthbert”, but it’s been on the shelf for years.

It’s a fairly short book of poetry aimed at a younger audience, but touching on scientific themes in a fantasy setting. The stories progress to the conclusion identified at the beginning.

I’d recommend this for late elementary school students.