Spooky Rivers, with Geo Rutherford
Summary
Host Robert Lamb interviews author and illustrator Gio Rutherford about her new book, *Spooky Rivers*, and her "Spooky Lake Month" initiative. They discuss the science and history behind strange waterways, including the zombie salmon of the Fraser River, the deadly Strid in England, and Tokyo’s underground flood management system. Rutherford also shares her experience visiting the Boiling River in Peru and explains how her background in art and earth science informs her nonfiction content.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Guest intro: Gio Rutherford and Spooky Rivers
Defining Spooky Lake Month and nonfiction focus
Early influences and the Books of Castles
Hidden ghosts and the 'good soup' easter egg
Origin story: TikTok, Great Lakes, and publishing
The creative process: writing before illustrating
Comparing the nature of lakes vs. rivers
Sponsor breaks and transition to book specifics
The zombie salmon of the Fraser River
The Goliath tigerfish and Congo River depths
Underground rivers: Shibuya and Tokyo's temple
Cenotes, the Yucatan, and Atlanta's Flint River
Sponsor breaks and transition to travel stories
Visiting the Boiling River in Peru
The Strid in England and its deadly history
Pollution and dead fish in the Thames and Ganges
Where to find Gio online and final wrap-up
Outro and final sponsor reads
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