Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is one of the most famous stories in English literature. But what is it, exactly, about this book that holds such enduring cultural appeal? Join us for a winding romp through Alice’s absurd dreamland. We explore the book’s relationship to humor, music, counterculture, and film. We also discuss the real-life Alice who inspired the book, as well as the continuing debate about Carroll’s personal life and his unusual relationships with children.

Content warning: This episode discusses Carroll’s relationships with children, including his suspected pedophilia. 

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It’s time to pull back the curtain and learn about the book that inspired one of the most beloved films of all time. People have ascribed many meanings to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and in this episode, we put on our conspiracy theory (golden) caps and explore all the possibilities. Is it true that L. Frank Baum was writing about turn-of-the-century populism and monetary policy? Or Buddhism? Or drugs? Why is this book considered the first feminist American children’s book? And what is a Tin Man, anyway? Listen to learn the answers to all these questions, and more!

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In this episode, we celebrate one of the most iconic children's books of the last 25 years. Louis Sachar’s Holes is equal parts comedy, mystery, and a sobering look at the carceral state. Join us for an unforgettable trip to Camp Green Lake. Just remember, this ain’t no Girl Scout camp.

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In the words of Phoebe Bridgers, “the end is here!” After a brief hiatus, our final episode on Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is complete. We travel to a literary hotel (The Penultimate Peril) to meet up with some old friends and get one last lesson on the incompetence of the adult world. Then, we shipwreck onto a desert island and unravel a few final mysteries about the Baudelaires and VFD (The End). Memento mori.

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In our penultimate episode about the Baudelaire orphans, we follow the children to the Mortmain Mountains (The Slippery Slope) and under the sea (The Grim Grotto). Our romp through the snow-covered mountains is quite fun, despite the reintroduction of an old enemy (Carmelita Spats) and the presence of Isadora Quagmire’s poetry. However, when it comes to The Grim Grotto, we have to admit that we don’t actually like this book all that much. Sorry, Lemony! No hard feelings. We’re still stoked for the grand finale, which will be coming soon to a podcast feed near you.

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The Baudelaires are back, and thanks to fake news from The Daily Punctilio, they are now fugitives. Luckily, they are able to find shelter in the hinterlands. Unluckily, the shelter they find is a hostile hospital (book 8) and a carnivorous carnival (book 9). In this episode, we discuss the hilarious and absurd tragedies of the Baudelaires' lives. We also attempt to answer the age-old question: why are so many children’s books about orphans? If you like lions, paperwork, or parentless children, then give this episode a listen.

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In one of our most ambitious episodes to date, we tackle the (wo)man, the myth, the legend: Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wilder’s “Little House” books about her pioneer childhood are some of the most famous books in American literature, but why? What do they tell us about manifest destiny and American mythmaking? And did you know that the books have a direct link to the Libertarian movement? Other topics covered in this episode include: the iconic long-running TV series, the books’ popularity in Japan, and Ronald Reagan’s love of astrology. We also attempt to answer the thorny question of what should be done with racist children’s books. 

Content warning: This episode discusses racism against Native Americans, and includes some of Wilder's racist descriptions of the Osage people. 

Further reading: “Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder” by Caroline Fraser

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Louise Erdrich’s first novel for young readers was published in 1999, and it features an Ojibwa family who live near present-day Lake Superior in 1847. The book is often presented as an alternative to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, but Erdrich’s novel is really an accomplishment that's in a league of its own. We discuss what makes The Birchbark House so effective, and how it stands in contrast to a long literary tradition of racist children’s books about Native Americans that rely on stereotypes rather than authentic and empathetic portrayals.

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Count Olaf and the gang are all back, and this time they’re hanging out in an ersatz elevator (book 6) and a vile village (book 7). Join us as we discuss the Baudelaires’ continued misfortune and the eerie parallels between their world and ours. What does the Council of Elders in the Village of Fowl Devotees have in common with the U.S. Supreme Court? And why does Esme Squalor remind us so much of Kyrsten Sinema? If you enjoy topical political discussions, and/or critiques of a fictional child’s poetry, then this is the episode for you.

If you like the show, please rate, review, and subscribe/follow! Ratings and reviews help new listeners find our show. 

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Find Sarah on Twitter @sarahebba25 and on Instagram @sarahebba

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