Big and Small Experiments in Teaching and Learning with Mike Cross

Set in the English countryside in the summer of 1950, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie follows Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old chemistry enthusiast living at the decaying Buckshaw mansion with her widowed father and two older sisters. When a dead bird with a rare postage stamp is found on the doorstep, followed by the discovery of a dying man in the cucumber patch, Flavia's father becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Determined to prove his innocence, Flavia uses her intelligence and chemistry skills to unravel a complex mystery involving her father's dark past and a valuable stamp collection.

Mike Cross's children's book follows Francesca, a curious child who discovers a genie in her broken microwave and embarks on playful adventures that teach scientific principles. The story is written to be engaging for young readers while maintaining scientific accuracy, blending whimsy with educational content. Cross uses rhythmic language and imaginative scenarios to explain concepts in a way accessible to children and helpful for educators. The book reflects the author's teaching philosophy of making science enjoyable and understandable for non-specialists. It also serves as a model assignment in his courses, where students create children's books to demonstrate mastery of scientific topics.