BOOKS: A dog, a shed and a whole lot of fun in Mayo scientists’ adventure story

When many of us grown-ups were in school, science was often taught in a pretty dull manner. This writer’s memory of the subject is dominated by text-heavy schoolbooks, unfathomable formulas, impenetrable diagrams, hard-to-pronounce chemicals, and a healthy fear of the musty school-laboratory’s Bunsen burner (my innate clumsiness did not mix well with an open flame). Only later in life did I come to appreciate the wonder of science and all it can tell us about ourselves and the world around us.
When I learned about a new book, ‘Alfie – The Secret Scientist’, by local authors Eva Naughton and Aidan Gilmore, I immediately knew I would have loved it as a child. Its colourful illustrations by Andy Wood are matched by an equally colourful cast of characters, and all the action revolves around science, discovery and adventure. A winning combination designed to excite the imagination and bring science to life in all the right ways.

Alfie’s antics
As the story begins, we meet Ella, a woman who feels something mysterious is going on in her shed. When she and her twin daughters, Leah and Katie, go out to investigate what is afoot, they can’t believe their eyes. They find out their dog Alfie Artypants is no ordinary hound. He’s a very, very curious pup indeed.
Alfie has discovered a hidden passion for science through secret experiments. By relating Alfie and his friends’ exciting capers and discoveries, the authors hope to inspire young readers to see science as something fun, accessible and magical.
The character of Alfie is based on Eva’s real-life family pet dog (a black Lab, also called Alfie), while two other beloved real-life dogs, Poppy and Maverick, who belong to Aidan, also make appearances in the book.

The authors
Eva Naughton is a scientist who hails from Belcarra but now lives in Ballyheane with her husband, Brendan, and their twin daughters, (you guessed it) Leah and Katie. She is also the founder of Lab-aDab-aDoo, a business promoting the subjects of science, technology, arts, engineering, mathematics through fun science, arts and crafts events for children. She has three great helpers – Lauren, Andy and Kate Connaughton from Turlough, Castlebar.
“Creating Alfie’s story was about combining my love for science with a desire to make it accessible to children,” Eva says. “Through Lab-aDab-a-Doo and now this book, I hope to spark curiosity and creativity in kids.”
Co-author and fellow scientist Aidan Gilmore is a native of Meelick, Swinford, but he now lives in Westport. He is an advocate for the importance of educating children and, like Eva, is particularly interested in fostering children’s interest in science. As an animal lover, the book combines two of his passions – his dogs are Alfie’s little helpers in the book, adding much charm and mischief to the tale.
“I wanted to show kids that science is about curiosity and discovery,” Aidan explains. “With ‘Alfie – The Secret Scientist’, we hope to encourage young readers to ask questions, explore, and see the wonder in everyday things.”
Beyond being an entertaining read, Eva and Aidan’s book is a wonderful creative tool for parents and teachers seeking to introduce scientific concepts to children in a fun, accessible way.
The authors’ shared vision, combined with their professional scientific know-how, really does make their book a rich resource for sparking an interest in science from an early age. It even includes instructions for seven science experiments that young readers can try at home.

Fun launch
Eva and Aidan will be launching ‘Alfie – The Secret Scientist’ in Belcarra this weekend. A real family event, the launch will feature interactive science activities for children, who will get to try experiments themselves and explore hands-on science in a way that mirrors Alfie’s own journey.
In addition to meeting the authors, families can enjoy a day of science-themed fun, pick up signed copies of the book, and learn more about the story’s inspirations.
The launch, which includes refreshments, will be held in Belcarra Community Centre this Saturday, November 30, at 4pm. Curious and creative minds, young and old, will all be very welcome and sure to feel right at home.

•  ‘Alfie – The Secret Scientist’, published by Mayo Books, is already available for purchase in The Castle Book Shop, Castlebar, and online at www.mayobooks.ie.