HONK. We read The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale! This retelling of the Grimm fairy tale takes us through the forest, into the goose pen and behind the throne room (best place to eavesdrop on villainous monologuing). We break down protagonist Ani’s haunting search for self, attempt to chat with geese on our own, and process beloved horse loss. Ready to knock your enemies’ hats off by harnessing the wind? Join us!

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

EPISODE MEDIA

The Goose Girl by The Brothers Grimm

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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 unearth a veritable pharaoh’s tomb of nostalgia as we discuss The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder! Join us in considering why this is a fantasy book, ways this may have inspired the creation of Dungeons and Dragons, half-remembered childhood yard games, Stranger Danger, Klutz Press, and creating your own serotonin through magical rituals. This is a looser episode than most because we fully immersed ourselves in our book-related memories, but we think it’s one you’ll enjoy. ZKS crew unite!

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 met up with our 3 mysterious magical boyfriends and dove into The Changeling Sea, by Patricia A. McKillip! We discuss McKillip’s glorious prose, the connection between the ocean and Peri’s coming of age, and how annoying it would be to prepare a dinner of oysters after a day of hard labor. Whether ye be a cursed sea dragon or a mischievous magic man, there’s something to appreciate - join us!

Thanks so much to Isabel for the recommendation. Let us know your favorite Patricia McKillip book, we came to her work far too late and want to explore deeper!

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/

Part 2 of an ongoing investigation. Many thanks to Drew and Abigail at Macmillan Audio for their wonderful insights! All covers mentioned are up on our website.

Episode Transcript

MUSIC - Late Night Radio by Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7613-late-night-radio

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

We’re thrilled to return to the Enchanted Forest with Searching for Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede! We break down Morwen’s appeal, the kinship between cats and dragons, Mendenbar and Cimorene’s blossoming romance, and Grace’s childhood ripoff of Wrede’s body of work. Plus: awkward pandemic greetings, local ginger beer recommendations, and our expert opinion on where to find the best fudge in America. Hop on your broken teddy bear-adorned magic carpet 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/

Time to brush up on your Bosch and grab your Jade Rat pendant - we read Half World, by Hiromi Goto (with illustrations by Jillian Tamaki)! We test how gnawable our pinkies are as we pay the toll and cross the crow bridge into Half World in all its seamy, terrifying glory. Join us in an exploration of purgatory, trauma management, and reincarnation - plus some lighter topics like the undeniable appeal of Baby G as a nickname. Whether you're flesh, spirit or a giant starfish with a beautiful child's face, we think you'll find something to enjoy.

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Lacey! If there's a book you'd like us to cover, 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 here, with a very special investigation.

Visit our website or Instagram for episode visuals! There is also a full transcript available for this episode.

MUSIC - Late Night Radio by Kevin MacLeod

https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7613-late-night-radio

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Dark is Rising and we’re along for the ride! We continue Susan Cooper’s epic battle between the Light and Dark and are introduced to the final Old One, 11-year-old Will Stanton. We join Will in adventuring through time without ever leaving Berkshire, discussing the subtleties of Cooper’s folklore inspirations and wishing for our own Book of Gramarye. Plus: Hawkin as the most compelling character, reliving our own self-fabricated childhood quests, and the feminine urge to stand in the center of a flock of rooks.

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/

The Aladdin story continues with Wishing Moon, by Michael O. Tunnell! We’re revisiting this favorite of young Madeleine’s and exploring protagonist Aminah’s rise from rags to riches with the discovery of a very special lamp. We slurp on sherbet, brush up on our magical baking skills and explore the religious and historical framing of Tunnell’s take on this well-known tale. Plus: why folklore retellings make kids into academics, Jinni’s feminine energy, and yearning for cream puffs. 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 back! And we’re venturing across the Archipelago, snuggled onto Ged’s shoulder alongside Hoeg. It’s time to discuss A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin!

Much like Ged, we were plagued by a cruel shadow that forced us to record remotely. But that didn’t keep us from wondering at all the beauty and insight contained within the introduction to Earthsea and Ged’s internal battles; his tangible and intangible demons. We conclude our unorthodox non-chronological Earthsea coverage by looking back on what we’ve gained from rereading the series and pondering the inherent evil of the name Jasper. Join us!

Thanks to everyone who listened to our Earthsea episodes and encouraged us to continue! You are our otaks, nudging us back to life.

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/

EPISODE MEDIA

An excerpt from Le Guin’s excellent afterword (if you haven’t seen it before, highly recommend picking up a library copy to read the entire thing!)

Our other Earthsea episodes:

- The Tombs of Atuan

- The Farthest Shore

- Tehanu

Visit dragonbabiespodcast.com for some magnificent otak fanart.