David goes voyaging

A twelve‑year‑old narrator sets sail aboard the research vessel Arcturus, a gleaming ship equipped with laboratories, nets and a menagerie of seabirds that will soon populate museums. From his birthday on the equator to daily sketches of frigate birds, albatrosses and curious lizards, he records the sights, sounds and smells of the Pacific’s remote islands, describing volcanic horizons, rock‑pools teeming with life and even a moment‑long encounter with a shark‑caged dive. The book blends the excitement of a youthful adventure with the careful observations of a budding naturalist, offering vivid snapshots of island beaches, volcanic activity and the camaraderie of the expedition crew.

Written with the help of his mother, the journal‑style narrative reads like a series of letters to friends, inviting listeners to imagine the thrill of hoisting nets, handling a penguin named Pinkie, and spotting a 46‑pound tuna. While the voyage promises scientific discoveries for museums, the heart of the story lies in the boy’s wonder at every new creature and landscape, making it a lively, educational tale of curiosity on the high seas.