Stump the Librarian

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why is hippo sweat red?” and “How old is the US postal service?” We also have a fact about squids and a super fun graphic novel recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Hippos... 

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/hippopotamus/hippopotamus-teeth-everything-you-need-to-know/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippopotamus 

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/hippo 

https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/hippopotamus 

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zooniverse/snapshot-serengeti/talk/1485/787284 

Hippos walking in water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu4T9kawhAM 

Dangerous Mammals: Hippos by Madison Parker https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1209639 

Regarding the Post Office... 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/United-States-Postal-Service/628434 

https://www.usps.com/250/ 

https://www.historynet.com/history-us-postal-service/ 

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/ 

https://www.kenmorestamp.com/first-us-postage-stamp#:~:text=First%20U.S.%20Postage%20Stamp&text=In%201847%20the%20United%20States,52%20million%20letters%20in%201852. 

Thanks a Lot, Axolotl! 

In this episode we answer the questions “Where do seagulls live?” and “Can axolotls regrow parts of their brain?” We also share a fact of the day from Ada Librarian Angela and Jill recommends a summertime chapter book. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!      

Angela’s fact of day: Extreme Records by Julie Beer https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C603149 

Jill’s book recommendation: The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C951433 

Concerning seagulls: 

 https://www.audubon.org/magazine/why-do-gulls-hanging-out-parking-lots  

https://www.audubon.org/news/are-gulls-jerks  

https://www.audubon.org/news/shoplifting-gull-prefers-doritos  

https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/birds/gulls/  

https://research.ebsco.com/c/qctlkj/viewer/html/2r26hovutj  

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/visit/where-see-wildlife/where-see-winter-wildlife/gull-roosts  

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/seagull/  

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/gull/38487/related#nodeId=websites&page=1  

Concerning axolotls: 

"Axolotl." World Book Kids, 2025,  

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar838993. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.  

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/amphibians/axolotl-life-expectancy.htm  

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/axolotl  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl  

https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/summer-2021/articles/meet-the-peter-pan-of-salamanders-the-axolotl  

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why was Central Park set aside as a park in New York City?” and “Why do bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, TX?” We also have bonkers balls fact from a special guest and two picture book recommendations. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Central Park... 

"Central Park." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Jun. 2024. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Central-Park/22084#main-ada. Accessed 6 May. 2025. 

https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/how-public-health-influenced-the-creation-purpose-and-design-of-central-park 

https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6234 

https://www.centralparknyc.org/ 

https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/central-park-sa/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20sixth%2Dlargest,visitors%20annually%20as%20of%202016. 

Regarding Bats... 

https://www.austinbats.org/ 

https://www.batcon.org/bat/tadarida-brasiliensis/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_free-tailed_bat 

https://www.merlintuttle.org/ 

The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner 

Bats Beneath the Bridge by Janet Nolan 

In this episode we answer the questions “How did Poseidon get the sea?” and “What is a Portuguese Man of War?” We also share a fact of the day from Bookmobile Librarian Caleb and recommend a quirky chapter book. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     

Jill’s book recommendation: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science  

by Kate McKinnon 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1140387 

Concerning Poseidon: 

"Poseidon." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 15 May. 2020. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Poseidon/61019. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.  

"Greek mythology." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Greek-mythology/110628. Accessed 1 May. 2025.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poseidon  

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?department=13&searchField=All&showOnly=highlights&sortBy=relevance  

Concerning the Portuguese Man of War: 

https://angari.org/portuguese-man-o-war-deep-dive/  

https://www.britannica.com/animal/Portuguese-man-of-war  

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/portuguese-man-of-war  

"Portuguese man-of-war." World Book Kids, 2025,  

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar835307. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.  

"Siphonophore." World Book Kids, 2025,  

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar848650. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.  

Portuguese Man-of Wars by Bizzy Harris: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C944465  

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why do I lift out of my seat on a roller coaster?” and “How do animals stay up when they sleep?” We also have a fact about  hippos and an amazing book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Roller Coasters... 

https://coasterforce.com/physics/ 

https://physicsworld.com/a/twists-turns-thrills-and-spills-the-physics-of-rollercoasters/ 

https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/duk_rollercoaster_music_less 

https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster5.htm 

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-roller-coasters-work 

The Thrills and Chills of Amusement Parks by Jordan D. Brown: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C263372 

Can You Feel the Force? by Richard Hammond: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C417708 

Regarding Sleep... 

https://www.bbcearth.com/news/the-extraordinary-ways-that-animals-sleep 

https://sleepopolis.com/education/sleep-habits-of-the-animal-kingdom-infographic/ 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Do-Animals-Dream/646172#main-ada 

https://youtu.be/muKuRQ8YnvE?si=PnrPSahqII06QCKR 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_in_animals 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_apparatus 

Sleepy- Suprising ways animals snooze https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1008378 

The Magic of Sleep https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C823619 

Snooze-o-rama https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C804141 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_apparatus 

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/lists/animals-that-sleep-standing-up/ 

The Ink-redible Octopus 

In this episode we answer the questions “What’s the weirdest invention that actually worked?” and “Do all octopuses ink?” We also share a fact of the day from KDL’s Data Coordinator and share a nonfiction book about a daring dog. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!     

Jill’s book recommendation: Balto by Emma Carlson Berne 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C889662 

Concerning weird inventions: 

"invention." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 Aug. 2024. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/invention/275080. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.  

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/the-weirdest-inventions-ever-in-pictures  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasphere_(vehicle)  

https://youtu.be/rvA7hDh_vhY?si=c2zOp5twqZ3Zds-E  

https://youtu.be/FEYdSIfPA_Q?si=92Q0q2u5R__N78Gp  

https://youtu.be/LmpeURi3cJY?si=9m8M6hTfqgydgjpI  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roomba#:~:text=Engineer%20Joe%20Jones%20first%20conceived,between%20Jones%20and%20his%20colleagues.  

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31590/13-patents-designed-build-better-mustache  

https://www.rosenberg-library-museum.org/treasures/nineteenth-century-mustache-cups#:~:text=It%20wasn't%20until%201830,cup%20from%20rim%20to%20rim.  

Concerning cephalopods: 

"octopus." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 15 Nov. 2023. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/octopus/276161. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.  

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/do-octopuses-have-ink-like-squids/  

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/09/why-do-cephalopods-produce-ink-and-what-on-earth-is-it-anyway  

https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/the-many-plurals-of-octopus-octopi-octopuses-octopodes  

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/cephalopods  

https://www.sheddaquarium.org/stories/eight-strange-and-wonderful-facts-about-octopuses  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplysiida  

Bobtail squid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ivMSCi-Y2Q  

The Incredible Octopus by Erin Spencer: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1021216  

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why does cool air come out of a person's mouth when they blow (like to cool off hot soup), but warm air comes out when a person goes HAAAAAAH (think warming your hands on a cold day)?” and “Do hummingbirds really hum?” We also have a fact about gardens and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding breathing... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfcDpxreJE 

"heat." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 16 Nov. 2021. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/heat/39732. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025. 

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/thermalP/u18l1d.cfm 

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/750-heat-energy/ 

Regarding hummingbirds... 

"hummingbird." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 Feb. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/hummingbird/353273. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025. 

https://www.audubon.org/news/get-know-bee-hummingbird-worlds-smallest-bird 

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/scientists-discover-worlds-largest-hummingbird-hiding-plain-sight 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird 

https://goldengatebirdalliance.org/blog-posts/bird-tongues/ 

https://www.hummingbirdspot.com/anatomy 

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/hummingbirds 

https://sorama.eu/how-hummingbirds-hum/ 

Behold the Hummingbird by Suzanne Slade: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1127495 

Hummingbird chirps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43PRVtGk2To 

Hummingbird wing flaps: https://youtu.be/x5Wjz23EasA 

The Booger Episode  

In this episode we answer the questions “How do trees talk to each other?” and “Why are boogers green?” We also share a fact of the day from a Patron Services librarian and share a graphic novel about a student struggling with math. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!    

Joel’s Fact of the Day: The Animal Toolkit by Steve Jenkins  

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1179760 

Liz’s book recommendation: Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson  

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1179760 

Concerning talking trees:  

https://greenpop.org/how-do-trees-communicate/  

https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/underground-mycorrhizal-network  

https://nhm.org/stories/take-moment-listen-trees  

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/04/993430007/trees-talk-to-each-other-mother-tree-ecologist-hears-lessons-for-people-too  

Wood Wide Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWOqeyPIVRo  

The Magic of Forests by Vicky Woodgate: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C966816  

Concerning boogers: 

https://kidshealth.org/Advocate/en/kids/booger.html#:~:text=Yeah%2C%20we're%20talking%20about,name%20for%20nose%20mucus%3A%20snot.  

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/08/marvels-mucus-phlegm  

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/mucus  

"mucus." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 17 Sep. 2010. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/mucus/54123. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.  

"mucous membrane." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Feb. 2020. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/mucous-membrane/54122. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.  

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “Why do we get goosebumps?” and “Are narwhals the unicorn of the sea?” We also have a fact about bones and a book recommendation you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding Goosebumps.... 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-you-get-goosebumps 

"skin." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Jun. 2019. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/skin/277082#main-ada. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025. 

https://youtu.be/KD78ZlViWt4?si=3WTY5OSQkL0n59K4 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-humans-get-goosebu/ 

https://online.kidsdiscover.com/quickread/what-causes-goose-bumps 

Regarding Narwhals... 

 www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar835226. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. 

https://resources.arctickingdom.com/narwhal-tusk-facts-did-you-know 

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/narwhal-guide 

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/narwhal-echolocation-abilities.htm 

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2018/november/the-siberian-unicorn-lived-at-the-same-time-as-modern-humans.html 

https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2019/03/08/exactly-narwhal-tusk/ 

https://whalescientists.com/narwhals-tusk/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narwhal 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/videos/how-narwhals-use-their-tusks 

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candice Fleming & Deena So’Oteh: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1031094 

In this episode we answer the questions “Is seaweed a plant?” and “What is the most dangerous bird?” We also share an elephant fact of the day from a Plainfield Twp. librarian and recommend a fascinating nonfiction book about parasites! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Lynn’s Fact of the Day: Fish Farts and Other Amazing Ways Animals Adapt by Joanne Settel 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1128924 

Liz’s book recommendation: Power to the Parasites! by Chelsea L. Wood. 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1151686 

Concerning seaweed: 

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/freshwater-algae/  

https://www.kvaroyarctic.com/22-seaweed-facts-to-know-in-2022  

https://lofotenseaweed.no/seaweed-vs-kelp-whats-the-difference/  

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed  

https://nature.ca/en/seaweed-and-algae-what-are-the-differences/  

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/15/1163385168/sargassum-seaweed-florida-mexico-beaches  

https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex2104/features/sargasso-sea/welcome.html  

https://www.sargassoseacommission.org/sargasso-sea  

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/plants-algae/seagrass-and-seagrass-beds  

Sea Otter Heroes by Patricia Newman  

Concerning dangerous birds: 

https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/worlds-most-dangerous-bird/#:~:text=Answer,%2DMonnett%20on%20Unsplash.com.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassowary#:~:text=The%20cassowary%20has%20often%20been,per%20year%20in%20South%20Africa.  

https://www.statista.com/statistics/448169/deadliest-creatures-in-the-world-by-number-of-human-deaths/  

https://www.britannica.com/list/6-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-birds  

"Cassowary." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 16 Apr. 2019. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/cassowary/20674. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.  

https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/cassowary/  

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/tetrapod-zoology/how-dangerous-are-cassowaries-really/