Episode 16: Why Do Bookworms Eat Books?
Mike and Chanel talk about BOOKWORMS with musician Chris Ballew (AKA Caspar Babypants)!
Watch the Episode
Discover the truth about bookworms and why these tiny creatures munch on old books. Plus, you'll meet musician Chris Ballew and hear how animals and the Pacific Northwest inspire his playful songs!
Watch the Episode
Discover the truth about bookworms and why these tiny creatures munch on old books. Plus, you'll meet musician Chris Ballew and hear how animals and the Pacific Northwest inspire his playful songs!
Zooquarium Educational Activities
Bonus Video!
Hear more from Chris Ballew as Mike and Chanel dive into the music, inspiration, and influences behind Caspar Babypants and The Presidents of the United States of America. Plus, stick around for a wonderfully weird Weird Al story!
Hear more from Chris Ballew as Mike and Chanel dive into the music, inspiration, and influences behind Caspar Babypants and The Presidents of the United States of America. Plus, stick around for a wonderfully weird Weird Al story!
Our Featured Guest
Chris Ballew has been a music superstar since the debut of his band The Presidents of the United States of America in the 90s and has continued to wow audiences with his solo work and his children's music under the name Caspar Babypants. From bookworms to kitties to chickies to boll weevils, Chris brings whimsy to all of his work by channeling the animal kingdom.
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MEET OUR HOSTS
MIKE BENNETT
He/Him
An artist, educator, and immersive space designer, Mike turns old buildings, house-paint and plywood into cartoon worlds with animal education and creativity at the helm. Mike brings his colorful characters to life to help curious kids (and kids at heart!) learn, laugh, and explore the world around them. Whether its cryptids, dinosaurs, ocean-life or lawn alphabets, Mike is always ready to tackle his next creative endeavor!
CHANEL HASON
She/Her
Chanel is a marine biologist, environmental educator, and lifelong animal lover who yearns to understand, and teach about, the natural world around us. She has led hands-on marine science programs in Puerto Rico for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, represented the United States at the Miss Scuba International pageant in Malaysia, and now serves as Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, where she’s helping restore Oregon’s sea otter population. Chanel shares her passion for wildlife and conservation through fun, curious, and inspiring conversations.
Gabriella asks: Why Do Bookworms Eat Books? That's such a fascinating question. It also makes us wonder, what is a bookworm?? Mike and Chanel get to the bottom of Gabriella's question with iconic musician Chris Ballew.
Chris sings about bookworms and the entire animal kingdom on his children's albums under the name Caspar Babypants and in his music for grown-ups with The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris also releases albums under his own name that can be found on all streaming platforms.
Be sure to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
- Visit Chris's website
- Learn about Chris on Wikipedia
- Listen to Caspar Babypants • Spotify | Apple Music
- Listen to The Presidents of the United States of America • Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
- Listen to Chris Ballew's solo recordings • Spotify | Apple Music
- Follow Chris/PUSA on Instagram: @pusaband
- Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
- Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
- Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
- Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
- Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
- Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
- Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org
The Zooquarium releases episodes about different animals every other Tuesday with bonus content for each episode the following week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and thezooquarium.com/podcast
Credits
- Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
- Guest: Dr. Chris Ballew
- Question-Asker: Gabriella
- Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
- Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
- Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
- Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain
Special thanks to
Gabriella & Gabriella's family, Chris Ballew, Kate Endle, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, and all of our little buggie friends!