We’ve arrived at our most scandalous episode to date, and it all starts with the saucy paperback cover featuring a shirtless Sandy and Dennys under a soft-eyed angel. Yes, we’re diving into Many Waters, by Madeleine L’Engle, and we’re rushing to get out of dodge before the flood while also wondering whether the Oasis deserves all this apocalyptic punishment in the first place! Madeleine and Grace take uncharacteristically opposing stances on this one, and debate the merits of a YA retelling of a biblical doozy. Tiny mammoths abound and things get sandy. You’re welcome to try to approach a unicorn, but first we’ll need to know - do you have your driver’s license? Whether you’re a fan of the Deux Ex Manticore or not, we think there’s plenty to explore in this trippy journey back in time.

NOTE - While still technically clean, this episode features discussion of sexual content present in the book and may not be suitable for young listeners.

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We revisited Beauty, by Robin McKinley, and were left asking the same question this centuries-old fairy tale always inspires: is this relationship… okay? You can probably guess our answer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out our journey into McKinley’s gorgeous, gothic fantasy story. We follow Beauty as she learns to love herself (inside and out) and appreciate a more melancholy, thoughtful Beast. Join us!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This is a special Halloween mini episode about our favorite animated miniseries, Over the Garden Wall! We explore the children’s fantasy literature and fairy tales that influenced the series, as well as our own nostalgic twinges inspired by the Unknown.

Thanks so much for the special episode idea, Amy! If you have a request of your own, get in touch at [email protected].

We discuss a TON of pieces of animated ephemera in this episode - you can find links to all on our website, dragonbabiespodcast.com!

Music from https://filmmusic.io - "Sonatina in C Minor" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) - License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Are you searching for the Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood? Are you a knight who may or may not also be a fox? Do you get tired of all the grain growing in your hair? We’ve got the perfect episode to ease your troubles and end the ceaseless winter. Meredith Ann Pierce’s dreamy coming-of-age fairy tale has something for the Hannah in all of us. Listeners will also enjoy learning the unorthodox way in which Grace managed to convince her cat to come home last week. Grab your badger & magpie friends and listen in!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We're headed back to Damar with The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley! Grace and Madeleine investigate the treatment of colonialism in a fantasy world, and wish they had their very own giant cats to keep them company during naps and battles alike. Join us in investigating the connections between Aerin and Harry, talking about when anger is a positive force, and wishing for more Luthe. Also: please begin throwing small cakes at your wedding guests.

This episode was a listener(s) request - thanks, Terkkila and asperajd! If you'd like to make a request, get in touch at dragonbabiespodcast.com.

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Madeleine and Grace have officially been Chosen and are heading to the Collegium! Hop on your companion and join us in discussing Arrows of the Queen, by Mercedes Lackey. We revel in the warmth of the community and beauty of small moments, and admire Lackey’s courage in writing a loving story about a bunch of absolute sweeties (with just a few mid-book bullies). We also unpack the book’s compelling discussion of processing trauma and turning empathy into magic. Are you an exhausted introverted empath like us? Then you’ve found your home.

Plus: our favorite magical schools. Sympathetic saviors. Eating horse food at way stations. Join us!

This book was a listener request - thanks, Jenny! If you'd like to submit a request, email us at [email protected]

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Grace finally finished her lil mini episode on Briar’s Book, by Tamora Pierce! This is a follow-up to our full length episode covering Daja’s Book, and we hope you enjoy.

MUSIC - Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It’s tough to write a summary for our episode on The Darkangel, by Meredith Ann Pierce - what can possibly beat the New York Times’ 1982 review titled “VAMPIRE ON THE MOON” ? We reveled in this dreamy, swooning sci-fi fantasy fairy tale. Listen in to learn how the titular vampyre triggered Madeleine and Grace’s teen manga-loving sensibilities and contemplate why magical bags of everlasting food don’t yet exist in our “advanced” technological age.

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Siobhan! If you’d like to send us a request, leave a comment or get in touch at [email protected].

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We’re celebrating our 50th episode with a very special trip to Middle-earth! Grace and Madeleine (and visiting pal Jordan!) revisit their very first fantasy novel, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. We indulge in our own creative Gollum interpretations, pick our favorite songs, and generally have a great time adventuring to the Lonely Mountain as retconned female characters. Join our unexpected party! Thank you so much for listening!!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Hold on to your memories - it’s time to enter the complex, trippy fantasy of Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones! Grace and Madeleine found the painful, realistic tale of admirable hero-in-training Polly to be all the more effective as adults. We discuss how the story supports girls who say no, and the connection between Polly’s cursed memories and her loss of childhood. Enjoy a debate on uncomfortable age gaps in fantasy relationships, and say hey to a new set of absolutely atrocious fictional parents. Plus: the joys of coffee and ice cream (together as one). Head to Hunsdon House and join us!

This episode was a listener request - thank you, Amy! If you’d like to request a book, leave a comment or email us at [email protected].

Check out our other Diana Wynne Jones episodes:

Episode 3 - Howl’s Moving Castle

Episode 14 - Witch Week

Episode 24 - A Tale of Time City

Episode 39 - Dark Lord of Derkholm

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/