Tabla de contenidos para May 2025 en OWL

ROBOT TAKEOVER BOOKS AND BOTS Fuzzy robots in the library? It sounds like something you’d see in an animated movie. But it’s just another day at the Cleveland Public Library. Five furry robots, known as the BAND, shuffle around inside the building. The bots aren’t there to help readers find a good book, though. Instead, they’re part of an art installation. The robotic characters are programmed to interact with visitors. They play soothing sounds, perform a dance, and patrons can even pet their fur. The creators of the installation made the bots to provide a bit of fun for library guests. But the colourful group won’t be sticking around the library for good. The robots are winding down their stay this spring. Bye-bye, bots! PLAY THAT PHONE SONGS ON A SMARTPHONE…

Cody, 10, wants to be an actor. One of his superstar talents is laughing on command! The saying “Laughter is the best medicine” is more than a catchphrase. Many studies have proven that laughing is excellent for your health. Here’s why: 1 It boosts your immune system. 2 It increases feel-good hormones (like dopamine and endorphins). 3 It decreases your stress hormones (like epinephrine and cortisol). We are 30x more likely to laugh with other people than alone. The positive feelings we get from laughter are similar to what we feel after eating chocolate. Both lead to the release of endorphins! JUST PLAYING Animals laugh, too! But laughing animals aren’t telling each other jokes. Instead, researchers call the laughs “play vocalizations.” The animals are signalling that their actions (e.g., swipes and…

Snuggle up and find out with this quiz! 1 You love to share with friends: a) fashion advice b) music playlists c) favourite books 2 Your dream career involves: a) working with others b) creating art c) being in nature 3 Pick a mythical creature: a) fairy b) dragon c) phoenix 4 You personalize your notes with: a) coloured pens b) cool fonts c) doodles 5 Your best quality is your: a) sense of humour b) self-confidence c) generosity 6 You would love to live in a: a) bustling city b) forest treehouse c) sea-side town 7 Your favourite spring flower is a: a) tulip b) peony c) daffodil 8 You would rather travel to: a) the Moon b) Jupiter c) Mars Answers page 33.…

MOVIES Lilo & Stitch Experiment 626 is wreaking even more havoc in this live-action reimagining of the 2002 animated film. When Lilo and her sister, Nani, adopt a blue dog (Stitch) into the family, they get more than they bargained for. Turns out, Stitch is an escaped alien science experiment designed to cause chaos. Can Lilo change Stitch’s ways and keep Earth safe? Find out in theatres May 23! GAMES Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Use the Force to jump back in time with this galactic game. Choose to play as a Jedi Master or a Padawan. Then use your powers to travel the universe and fight against enemies like the Tusken Raiders and Darth Mal. Available on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox now. APPS Top Picks…

WILD WORDS Move down the ladder by changing one letter at a time. Use the clues on the right to help you find the correct answers. Small shorebird with species such as piping, golden, and mountain. Someone using a machine that cuts, lifts, and turns soil. Colourful plant with petals. Handheld machine that clears leaves from an area: leaf ______ Angry facial expression or scowl. Person who plants and tends to seeds. Answers page 33. PICTURE THIS Can you spot the two identical squares in this scene? HINT: They may not be facing the same way. TANGLED UP Follow the vines from each pot to find which vine belongs to each flower. FLOWER FIND How many flower types can you find in the grid? Look across, down, forwards, backwards, and…

QUIZ WHIZ, page 6 Answer: C These salt and pepper shakers were part of an exhibit where 60 designers created and displayed their version of the popular kitchen tool. NATURE PUZZLE, page 18 Wild Words plover, plower, flower, blower, glower, grower. Picture This Tangled Up Flower Find MATH MOUNTAIN, page 23  PERSONALITY QUIZ, page 30 IF YOU PICKED … Mostly As: Sea otter Just like these adorable animals that hold hands to keep from drifting apart, you’re always willing to help anyone who needs it. Your warm smile and personality create a safe space that keeps people coming back. I spot-ter the friend of a life time—grab a hand! Mostly Bs: Leopard gecko Cute may be in the eye of the beholder, but you know that originality always makes a…

May 10, 1994 Nelson Mandela becomes the first Black president of South Africa. Before the election, South Africa was under apartheid, a system that legally separated Black people from white people. Mandela fought this system and advocated for racial equality. May 8, 1886 The first-ever glass of Coca-Cola is served. The drink is made of sweet syrup mixed with carbonated water. May 9, 1914 US President Woodrow Wilson declares Mother’s Day an official holiday to be celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May. May 4, 1959 The first Grammy Awards ceremony is held. Awards include Best Vocal Performance, Best Album Cover, and Song of the Year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Here’s what some readers are looking forward to as they turn a year older! KOSTAS MAY 17 LENI MAY 8 Playing…

WHAT’S A LANDFORM? A landform is a type of terrain on the Earth’s surface, such as a hill or canyon, that is sculpted by nature! Mountains are made when shifts in the Earth’s crust push land up to the sky, while valleys are slowly carved out by wind and water. These changes take place over millions of years! RAINBOW MOUNTAIN Its Stripes Get Hype WHERE? Peru Towering tall in South America’s Andes Mountains, Rainbow Mountain stands out—but not just because of its height. It’s full of colourful stripes! Long ago, the land here was covered by flowing water. The water carried tiny particles from minerals in a variety of colours—red or pink clay, white sandstone, and green copper. Over time, these mineral particles dropped to the bottom of the water…

May 3 is Wild Koala Day! The koala is an animal unlike any other. Though it is confusingly called a koala bear, it is not related to bears—it’s part of the marsupial family. The koala’s closest cousins are wombats and possums. But unlike many other marsupials, koalas have only one species. TREETOP LIVING Koalas spend most of their time in forests. And though they are slow-moving on the ground, it’s a different story when they’re up in the trees. Here, the koala’s hooked claws and strong grip make climbing a breeze. A TASTE FOR THE TOXIC Koalas eat about 1 kg (2 lb.) of leaves per day! Eucalyptus leaves are toxic to most living things, including humans. But koalas have special bacteria in their gut that help them digest the plant…

TALK ABOUT IT OWL readers share their advice. “I know how you feel. I never got to meet my grandpa. I suggest framing your favourite pictures of him. I really hope this helps.” MADELEINE My grandpa passed away recently and I’m having a hard time. I miss him and wish I could see him again. What should I do?” —LINCOLN, 12 “It’s okay to miss someone. Just try to remember that your grandpa wouldn’t want you to be sad.” LAUREN “It’s natural to have a hard time when things are out of your control. Know that your grandpa will always be with you. I hope this helps!” SHAIL “Losing someone you love is a hard thing to go through. Hang on to the good memories and talk to someone about how…

“Are you looking at us?” “I need a banana.” RYLEIGH “Look at that bird! It’s so weird.” “That’s a snake …” GEORGIE “How high does this branch go?” “I don’t know, but I hope there’s bananas!” CARLYN “Maurice! Again?!” “Sorry, bananas make me gassy.” MORGAN “Wow, that banana looks pretty good!” “You’re too late, guys. Jerry the gorilla already ate it!” KYLIE YOUR TURN Shake a tail feather and send in your silliest captions! LAST LAUGH Why did the pelican need money? To pay its big bill! Send us your “Say What?” captions. We’ll print our favourites in an upcoming issue. Fill in the speech balloons, cut out or photocopy this page, and send it to OWL c/o THE BUZZ, 1 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 800, Toronto, ON, Canada M4P…