We’re exploring the Arthurian legend through a southern Black lens with Legendborn, by Tracy Deonn! Join 16-year-old protagonist Bree as she enters an early college program at UNC Chapel Hill and discovers more than one type of magic is waiting. She learns about her dead mother’s secrets, her own latent abilities, and the pull of various Hot Boys (both golden and broody). This was our first time experiencing this incredible book and we wholeheartedly recommend it - pick up a copy and join us!

EPISODE MEDIA

Shondaland interview with Tracy Deonn

Our Susan Cooper episodes - Over Sea, Under Stone and The Dark is Rising

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 continue Megan Whalen Turner’s impeccable Queen’s Thief series with A Conspiracy of Kings! We discuss the appeal of sweet Sophos as a protagonist, the portrayal of slavery within fantasy series, and whether the gods are Just Jerks (copyright Madeleine). This is a long one, but in between the sister squabbling, points are made! The main point being that we could talk about MWT’s work for the rest of our lives and still have so much to explore.

Thanks to all our listeners who requested The Thief in the first place, and supported us in continuing on with the series! We will be finishing it in its entirety (if the sun doesn’t burn out first). That’s the Dragon Babies promise.

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/

It’s back to Discworld with Wyrd Sisters, by Terry Pratchett! We join the titular trio of Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax, and Magrat Garlick as they meddle their way across space and time (within reasonably witchy limits, of course). Review your Shakespeare, work up your best lil ghosty sounds and make sure you’re in good standing with the Fool’s Guild - then 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/

We’re so excited to round out the ZKSHT (Zilpha Keatley Snyder Holy Trinity) with The Headless Cupid. Along with The Egypt Game and The Witches of Worm, this book developed Grace’s little brain into a spooky kid mystery machine. Madeleine’s jonesing for a trip to the Winchester Mystery House and is very upset with Amanda; we’re both reminiscing about the power of playing pretend. Join in the glory of ZKS’ unparalleled work - articulating children’s inner monologues with such specificity and zero condescension.

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/

It’s Badgerin’ Time. We return to the joyous, violent, and feast-laden world of Redwall with Mossflower, by Brian Jacques! Grace breaks down the reasons why this is her favorite of his works, we continue the great “Humans in Mossflower???” debate, and Bella and Boar become our gods. Grab your candied chestnuts and 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/

We’re heading back to Valdemar with Magic’s Pawn, by Mercedes Lackey! This absolute doozy of an episode showed us that we could talk about this book for the rest of our lives. Vanyel and Tylendel’s love story, revenge mission and subsequent Bad But Life-Changing Stuff are at turns stirring, sweet, cathartic and crushing. Tune up your mind speech and listen in - and let us know if you have a concrete internal monologue along the way.

This episode was a listener request - thank you, Gyuri! If you’d like to request a book for us to cover, email us at [email protected].

CW - Mentions of suicide. To reach the suicide hotline, call or text 988 (in the US).

There is a wee bit of static on this episode, we will vanquish it next time (and are only recording separately for 4 more months thank god).

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/

Head to the nearest midden and abandon all hope - The Ragwitch has you in her thrall! We have a blast discussing Garth Nix’s first novel and following Paul and Julia’s external and internal journeys. We consider the ways in which this work shows the beginnings of the Abhorsen series and do our best to start a rumor that Garth is a necromancer. Typical Dragon Babies stuff. Grab your creepiest doll and join us!

This episode was a listener request - thank you, Rachael! If you’d like to make a request, leave a comment or 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/

Have you been craving a close reading of the final passage of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen? No? Well, you should probably listen to this Grace’s Reading Corner not-so-mini episode about why society loves a snowy queen anyway.

This episode focuses specifically on the illustrated edition by the wonderful Mary Engelbreit, which remains a personal influence.

This is a very vibes-forward Cold Book Episode, so grab some cocoa and a blanket and snuggle up for a listen!

EPISODE MEDIA

A translation of Hans Christian Andersen's "Sneedronningen" by Jean Hersholt (original fairy tale)

The Santa Claus Book

A Summary and Analysis of Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’ Fairy Tale by Dr. Oliver Tearle

Visit our website to view the Mary Engelbreit illustrations mentioned!

MUSIC - "The Snow Queen" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We’re so excited to launch our Babetreon - and we’re taking the first episode out from behind the paywall! We're discussing the 2006 Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea in all its messy glory.

Join for $3/mo to get an extra episode every month. We’ll be covering a broader range of materials than we typically do on the main feed - reviews of film and TV adaptations of our favorite books, fantasy picture books, inspirations for our favorite authors' works, voting on our next episodes, and much more!

These exclusive episodes will also be a little freer form and they'll delve into Dragon Babies After Dark territory (some good ol' cussin'). Plus, you'll get your very own Pretend Food enamel pin when you sign up (just look at how beautiful they are).

Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/dragonbabies

*Please note that this episode is explicit.

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/

Enchanted poet-donkeys assemble: we’re covering The Arkadians, by Lloyd Alexander! You’ll love this meta retelling of various Greek mythologies and epics as told through the adventures of Lucien, Joy-in-the-Dance, Fronto, and the approximately 500 other goofy characters they encounter along the way. As the self-proclaimed Emo Fantasy crowd, we love Lloyd Alexander very much and it was a delight to reread his Greek Romp Experiment. Plus: if you’re a fan of the 1994 CD-ROM game Wrath of the Gods, then boy do we have a treat for you. Join us!

EPISODE MEDIA

The Arkadians on the Lloyd Alexander Wiki

The best computer game of all time, Wrath of the Gods

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/