Everything Under The Sun

Everything Under The Sun

Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world. Each Friday, join Molly Oldfield, write of the weekly kids quiz in the Guardian each Saturday, the original QI elf and author and host of Everything Under The Sun (both the book and podcast) as she answers questions sent in by children around the world with the help of experts including Neil Gaiman, Heston Blumenthal, Grayson Perry, Lauren Child, Richard Branson and Sophie Dahl to the fish curators at the Natural History Museum. If you're a kid - big or small - with questions you want answered or if you want to learn interesting facts about life on earth, this is the award winning podcast for you. Do check out Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year, published by Ladybird books now!
#153 How was sign language invented? w/ Rose Ayling-Ellis. How do submarines sink? Why do skunk's stink?

#153 How was sign language invented? w/ Rose Ayling-Ellis. How do submarines sink? Why do skunk's stink?

*For a transcription of today's episode please visit our social media @itseverythingunderthesun * This week, we re joined by the amazing Rose Ayling-Ellis , actress and advocate for the Deaf community, to help us explore a fascinating question how was sign language invented? Then, we ll take a deep dive into the mechanics of submarines to find out how they sink and resurface. And finally, we ll uncover the science behind one of nature s stinkiest creatures why do skunks smell so bad? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with history, science, and incredible discoveries! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Mar 2025 - 12 min 39 sec

 
#152 Which flower has the most petals? w/ Carlos Lehnebach. Which dog is the best at smelling? Which daffodils are there in the world?

#152 Which flower has the most petals? w/ Carlos Lehnebach. Which dog is the best at smelling? Which daffodils are there in the world?

Welcome to Episode #152 of Everything Under the Sun Spring Special! 🌸🌿 This week, we re celebrating spring with a flower-filled episode! We re joined by the fantastic Carlos Lehnebach , a botanist and flower expert, to help us answer a blooming brilliant question which flower has the most petals? Then, we ll turn to our four-legged friends and sniff out the answer to another great question which dog has the best sense of smell? And finally, we ll return to the world of flowers to explore even more about the plant with the most petals! Get ready for a special springtime episode packed with nature, science, and fascinating facts! 🌷🐶🌼 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Mar 2025 - 13 min 38 sec

 
#151 How Did Ancient Egyptians Blow Their Noses? w/ Justin Pollard. How do hedgehogs make their homes? How do caterpillar eggs stick to leaves?

#151 How Did Ancient Egyptians Blow Their Noses? w/ Justin Pollard. How do hedgehogs make their homes? How do caterpillar eggs stick to leaves?

Welcome to Episode #151 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we re joined by the wonderful Justin Pollard, historian and author, to help us uncover a curious question from the past how did the ancient Egyptians blow their noses? Then, we ll burrow into the world of wildlife to discover how hedgehogs build their cozy homes. And finally, we ll take a closer look at tiny caterpillar eggs how do they stick so securely to leaves? Get ready for another fascinating episode packed with history, nature, and amazing facts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Mar 2025 - 14 min 50 sec

 
#150 How do we know about the Kraken? w/ Katherine Rundell. How do sea creature not get water in their eyes? How many metres deep is the ocean?

#150 How do we know about the Kraken? w/ Katherine Rundell. How do sea creature not get water in their eyes? How many metres deep is the ocean?

Welcome to Episode #150 of Everything Under the Sun! To mark the special occasion of 150 episodes, we've have a special giveaway! Make sure to listen closely for details. This week, we re joined by the brilliant Katherine Rundell award-winning author and adventurer to help us uncover the legend of the Kraken! How do we know about this mysterious sea monster, and could there be any truth behind the tales? Then, we ll dive into the fascinating world of marine life to answer: how do sea creatures keep water out of their eyes? And finally, we ll explore the depths of our planet s vast oceans just how many meters deep do they go? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with myths, science, and deep-sea discoveries! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Mar 2025 - 17 min 18 sec

 
#149 How do underwater volcanoes erupt w/ Robin George Andrews. Why does lava not melt volcano's rocks? Why are dolphins so clever?

#149 How do underwater volcanoes erupt w/ Robin George Andrews. Why does lava not melt volcano's rocks? Why are dolphins so clever?

Welcome to Episode #149 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we re joined by the incredible Robin George Andrews, an experimental volcanologist, to help us uncover the mysteries of underwater volcanoes how do they erupt beneath the waves? Then, we ll dive even deeper into the world of volcanoes to answer a fiery question: why doesn t lava melt a volcano s own rocks? And finally, we ll explore the intelligence of one of the ocean s most fascinating creatures why are dolphins so clever? Get ready for another thrilling episode packed with science, history, and amazing discoveries! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Feb 2025 - 14 min 46 sec

 
#148 What sound do sharks make? w/ James Maclaine. Who Were The First Ninjas? Who's The Strongest, Samurais or Ninjas?

#148 What sound do sharks make? w/ James Maclaine. Who Were The First Ninjas? Who's The Strongest, Samurais or Ninjas?

This week, we re joined by the amazing James Maclaine, from The Natural History Museum, to help us answer a Jaws-dropping question! First, we ll dive deep into the ocean to find out what sound do sharks make? Then, we ll travel back in time to uncover the origins of the very first ninjas. And finally, we ll settle an epic battle of strength who's tougher, samurais or ninjas? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with fascinating facts and discoveries! Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Feb 2025 - 13 min 36 sec

 
#147 When were the first pirates? w/ Iszi Lawrence. What was the first book written? What is water made out of ?

#147 When were the first pirates? w/ Iszi Lawrence. What was the first book written? What is water made out of ?

Welcome to Episode #147 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we have special guest Iszi Lawrence, a brilliant children’s author and comedian, here to help us answer some fantastic questions! First up, we’ll explore the adventurous world of pirates and find out when they lived. Then, we’ll dive into the science of water and learn what it's made of. Finally, we’ll uncover the history of the written word and discover what the very first book ever written was! If you want more Everything Under The Sun, you can pre-order the new Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book now! Available on Amazon here , or through independent UK bookshops here . On top of that the original book E verything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here . Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Oct 2024 - 13 min 52 sec

 
#146 How do solar panels make electricity? With Yasmin Ali. Why do people smile back when we smile on them? Why does the moon follow us?

#146 How do solar panels make electricity? With Yasmin Ali. Why do people smile back when we smile on them? Why does the moon follow us?

Welcome to Episode #146 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re tackling three brilliant questions! First, we’ll learn how solar panels make electricity, with expert insights from Yasmin Ali, an engineer and author of Power Up . Yasmin has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering: Sustainability by the Women's Engineering Society, and she’s here to explain the amazing science behind solar energy. Next, we’ll explore why people often smile back when we smile at them—it’s all about human connection! And finally, we’ll uncover the mystery of why the moon seems to follow us when we move. Happy Listening Everyone! If you want more Everything Under The Sun, you can pre-order the new Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book now! Available on Amazon here , or through independent UK bookshops here . On top of that the original book E verything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here . Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Sep 2024 - 12 min 17 sec

 
#145 Why do some countries have wars? With Lord Alf Dubs. Why are baby animals so cute? How did chicken pox get it's name?

#145 Why do some countries have wars? With Lord Alf Dubs. Why are baby animals so cute? How did chicken pox get it's name?

Welcome to Episode #145 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we're answering some intriguing questions! First, we'll explore why some countries have wars, with insights from our special guest, Lord Alf Dubs—a politician and former refugee with a powerful perspective on conflict and peace. We'll also learn what makes baby animals so irresistibly adorable, and why that cuteness is important for their survival. Plus, get ready to discover the curious history behind chickenpox and why it got its unusual name. Happy listening, everyone! If you want more Everything Under The Sun, you can pre-order the new Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book now! Available on Amazon here , or through independent UK bookshops here . On top of that the original book E verything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here . Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Sep 2024 - 11 min 31 sec

 
#144: Bee stings, colours, and maths with Chris Haughton

#144: Bee stings, colours, and maths with Chris Haughton

Welcome to Episode #144 of Everything Under the Sun! This week Molly answers a fabulous question from Mollie about bees and their stingers, and another brilliant question from David about why we see light as colour. Bestselling and beloved children's author Chris Haughton answers a wonderful question from Brooklynne about when we started doing maths. We'll learn about which bees do and don't have stingers, why bees are so important to plants, what's in our eyeballs that help us see colours, and Chris Haughton tells us how an ancient civilisation invented much more than just maths! Chris' new book, The History of Information, is the first non-fiction book from the picture book superstar. It is a graphic handbook to the biggest influence on human history: information. The journey from the first splash of paint on cave walls, 50,000 years ago to powerful AI that drives information in our lives today. It's available to buy now on Amazon or wherever you like to get your books! Happy listening everyone! If you want more Everything Under The Sun, you can pre-order the new Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book now! Available on Amazon here , or through independent UK bookshops here . Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Sep 2024 - 15 min 11 sec