Author: Lisa Mungovan

One endangered crocodile, called a gharial, might be father of the year. A photographer spotted the proud papa waiting patiently, while over 100 of his month-old children climbed onto his head. There are only about 650 freshwater gharials left in India and Nepal, so keeping his kids safe is an especially important job!

The Children’s Zoo in Fort Wayne Indiana, has a new baby giraffe. The calf weighed 134 pounds, and stood about 6 feet tall at birth. She stood for the first time within 30 minutes and got her first meal from her mom soon afterwards. The mother giraffe was probably thinking, “Wow, they grow up so fast!”

Okay kids, what are we having for dinner tonight? It’s Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day! I suggest preparing something with peanuts and fortune cookies, because it’s also National Peanut Day, and Fortune Cookie Day. Don’t forget to celebrate Roald Dahl Day. The author wrote “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, and “The BFG.”

A Brazilian surfer broke her own world record. Maya Gabeira was competing in the Nazere Tow Surfing Challenge, when she rode a wave that measured 73.5 feet high. It’s officially the largest wave surfed by a female, 5 feet higher than the wave she surfed 2 years ago. Rodrigo Koxa holds the male record, for an 80-foot-wave.

A roof restoration project in Norfolk England, revealed an archaeological treasure trove of artifacts. Oxburgh Hall was built in the late 15 hundreds. Under the attic floorboards, were embroidery scraps and fabrics, handwritten music, book pages, and parchment fragments. Some had been preserved in ancient rat’s nests. They were all hundreds of years old.

McDonald’s is trying out a new system in the UK, to cut back on the use of disposable cups. A company called Loop, makes reusable cups. McDonald’s would charge a small deposit for the to-go cups, which would be refunded when the customer returns it to any collection bin. I’m lovin’ it!

The Studebaker Company started out, making buggies and wagons in 1852. They switched to cars after automobiles were invented, and stayed in business until 1966. Today is Drive Your Studebaker Day, so keep an eye out, for antique cars. Since it’s also Chocolate Milkshake Day, they might be at the malt shop, reliving the 50’s.

Today is Video Games Day. Maybe you can get some extra screen time to celebrate! Try playing Pong, which was the first video game invented, in 1972. It’ll make you appreciate modern graphics. Invite your parents to play with you, but no trash talking. It’s the National Day of Encouragement, so cheer them on instead!

You might make your family mad, by training to beat this new world record. British speed-eater Leah Shutkever, ate 10 sugar-frosted jelly donuts, in 3 minutes. The hardest part may have been, that she wasn’t allowed to lick her lips! She’s also eaten a cucumber in 27 seconds, and drank a liter of gravy in 1 minute 5 seconds.

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, is holding a school strike for climate, for the 108th Friday in a row. The wildfires spreading across the West Coast of the United States, are partly a result of climate change. Warmer weather causes vegetation to dry out, and causes longer fire seasons. The world needs our help.