Stump the Librarian

Episode 82 That's a Beautiful Volcano

Join Liz and Jill as we answer the questions “Can kangaroos hop backwards?” and “How hot is lava?” We have a fact about satellites and a dragon graphic novel that you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!  

Regarding kangaroos... 

https://www.billabongsanctuary.com.au/red-kangaroo/ 

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/kangaroos 

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

"kangaroo." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/kangaroo/275222. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025. 

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/big-red-roos-the-roo-files/2415/ 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tree-kangaroo/ 

Kangaroos by Nicki Clausen-Grace: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C911135 

Kangaroos: Amazing Jumpers by Lisa M. Harrington: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C721420 

Regarding lava... 

 

"lava." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 12 Oct. 2023. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/lava/47378. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025. 

https://www.whoi.edu/ocean-learning-hub/ocean-topics/how-the-ocean-works/seafloor-below/volcanoes/lava-flows/ 

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/lava-flows-destroy-everything-their-path 

“Eruption! The Story of Volcanoes.” Ganeri, Anita. DK Readers, 2015. 

https://youtu.be/0jKoOUZ1GBM?si=aA1k4D9pub_B97xo 

Episode 81 Presidental Pretzels

In this episode we answer the questions “Did George Washington eat pretzels?” and “How are hurricanes named & who names them?” We also share a fact of the day from Manager Karen and Jill recommends a captivating chapter book about a school for crime fighters. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!       

 

Karen’s Fact of the Day: Dung for Dinner by Christine Virnig 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C755338 

Jill’s book recommendation: The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1197812 

Concerning George Washington's pretzels: 

https://www.thespruceeats.com/german-pretzel-history-4796280 

"pretzel." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Jul. 2021. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/pretzel/61315#main-ada. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025. 

"George Washington." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 12 Feb. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/George-Washington/108779. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025. 

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/dining-at-mount-vernon 

https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/religious-history-pretzels 

https://www.history.com/articles/the-pretzel-a-twisted-history 

https://youtu.be/3whRvgEK8ZI?si=u5_q9qdDDXJ7ixig 

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

 

Concerning hurricanes: 

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/hurricane 

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml 

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

https://wmo.int/resources/wmo-fact-sheets/tropical-cyclone-naming 

"Hurricane." World Book Kids, 2025, 

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar830933. Accessed 05 Nov. 2025. 

 

Rafferty, John P.. "How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?". Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Aug. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/story/how-are-hurricanes-named. Accessed 5 November 2025. 

 

All About Hurricanes by Cody Crane: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C847225 

Episode 80 What's in my fridge?!

Join Liz and Jill as we answer the questions “how does mold grow on food?” and “Is a tater tot protein? What is a carbohydrate?” We have a fact about an African animal and a graphic novel that you are sure to love! To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!   

Regarding mold... 

https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/science/activity/mold 

https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/are-molds-foods-dangerous 

https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/why-dont-we-get-sick-when-we-eat-moldy-blue-cheese 

https://greencitizen.com/blog/mold-in-compost/ 

https://www.sciencing.com/why-does-mold-grow-food-4966797/ 

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-mold-food 

"Mold." World Book Kids, 2025, 

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar831547. Accessed 16 Oct. 

"penicillin." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11 Jun. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/penicillin/390831. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

 

 

Regarding nutrients... 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/carbohydrate/399389 

https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary/article/food-and-nutrition/353140#311021-toc 

https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/food-and-nutrition/274373 

https://youtu.be/Q29F4a61J7k?si=Ak1ysGVk7GbjfZ3C 

 

 

Episode 79 Gardens Galore!

Gardens Galore! 

In this episode we answer the questions “How did Meijer Gardens begin?” and “What is the difference between moths and butterflies?” We also share a fact of the day from Ada Librarian Ally and Jill recommends a beginning chapter book about two funny friends. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!       

 

Ally’s Fact of the Day: Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts! by Mike Lowery 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C703808 

Jill’s book recommendation: Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo 

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C128693  

 

Concerning Meijer Gardens: 

https://www.meijergardens.org/thirty/  

https://www.meijergardens.org/thirty/#uael-video-gallery-0b5e916-1  

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

 

Concerning butterflies & moths: 

https://australianbutterflies.com/8-differences-between-butterflies-and-moths/  

https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths-matter-campaign/moth-facts  

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

https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/how-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-butterfly-and-a-moth/  

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/caterpillar-butterfly-metamorphosis-explainer/  

Butterflies & Moths by John Feltwell: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C580472  

What’s in chrysalis? https://youtu.be/uK_iZZ4Bx2o  

Breaking down differences video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWU7nefFkto  

 

Episode 78 Open Wide Whale

Join Jill and Liz as they answer the questions “How do landfills work?” and “How many teeth do whales have?” We also have a fact about Pokémon and a great 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 landfills... 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/solid-waste-management/471032/related#nodeId=websites&page=1 

https://www.epa.gov/landfills/municipal-solid-waste-landfills 

https://recyclops.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-decompose/ 

https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/landfill.htm 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfills_in_the_United_States#Statistics 

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

 

Regarding whales... 

https://www.nathab.com/blog/fascinating-wildlife-facts-five-humpback-whale-feeding-strategies 

"Humpback whale." World Book Kids, 2025, 

   www.worldbookonline.com/kids/article?id=ar833434. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025. 

Humpback Whale by Dr. Asha De Vos https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C873521 

Clip of whales feeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glxULceEEjA 

 

Episode 77 That Dog Has a Job!

That Dog Has a Job! 

In this episode we answer the questions “Why are there rocks around train trachs?” and “What is the difference between service dogs and therapy dogs?” We also share a fact of the day from Kentwood Librarian Hatka and Jill recommends an exciting chapter book about kids stuck in an airport. To submit your own question, go to KDL.org/Stump. We can’t wait to hear from you!       

 

Hatka’s fact of day: Sensational Sharks by Emma Flannery  

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1199269 

Jill’s book recommendation: Grounded by Aisha Saeed  

https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C947179 

 

Concerning ballast: 

https://adortech.com/blog/everything-about-railway-ballast  

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2024/11/whose-time-is-it-anyway-a-brief-history-of-standardized-time-zones-in-the-united-states/  

https://www.cargo-partner.com/es/trendletter/issue-49/why-do-railway-tracks-have-stones-underneath  

https://www.loc.gov/collections/railroad-maps-1828-to-1900/articles-and-essays/history-of-railroads-and-maps/the-beginnings-of-american-railroads-and-mapping/  

https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/blog/caboose-facts/  

https://www.train-museum.org/2023/03/19/why-are-there-rocks-under-the-tracks/  

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

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

On Track by Tom Adams: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S174C1161062  

Video on laying train tracks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET7W43NVggw&t=32s  

 

Concerning dogs with jobs: 

https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/How-Service-Animals-Help-Humans-Live-Fuller-Lives/648742  

https://pawswithacause.org/assistance-dogs-101/  

https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/  

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

  

 

Episode 76 Sweaty Hippos

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. 

 

Episode 75 Thanks a Lot, Axolotl!

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  

 

 

 

Episode 74 Jill and Liz’s Vacation Extravaganza

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 

Episode 73 Myths and Drifts

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