Moj prijatelj gospodin Leakey
J. B. S. Haldane (1892–1964), a British geneticist, evolutionary biologist, and science popularizer, wrote "My Friend Mr. Leakey" in 1937 – a collection of five humorous, fantastic stories for children (and adults).
The stories are told from the perspective of a boy who befriends the eccentric Mr. Leakey – a wizard, scientist and adventurer who lives in London, but has access to a wonderful world. Leakey uses magic and science to guide his friend through adventures:
- encounters with exotic animals (snakes, crocodiles, birds),
- journeys to the depths of the sea, jungles or underground,
- experiments with chemistry and biology (e.g. conversations with plants, animals or minerals),
- humorous situations where magic and science solve everyday problems.
Haldane popularizes science through fantasy: evolution, ecology, chemistry, zoology – all with British humor, irony and without dryness. Leakey is a charismatic, gentle, but wisely instructive character – a friend who shows that the world is full of wonders if we look at it scientifically and curiously.
The book is a classic children's science fiction from the 1930s – entertaining, educational, and without moralizing. Rare in Croatia and sought after in second-hand bookstores, it is valued as a pioneering example of popularizing science through storytelling.
One copy is available
- Slight damage to the cover
