MINI EPISODE - Rewatching The Black Cauldron

Hey buddies! This is a MINI EPISODE, so exciting! We decided that we were too intrigued by the 1985 Disney adaptation of The Book of Three & The Black Cauldron (titled The Black Cauldron) to not rewatch it. We saw this as kids but didn't remember... anything. It is a weird film! Here are our thoughts!

Note - we were plagued by sound issues while recording and there is some volume variability in this episode, for which we are very sorry. It was a quick little fun mini thing so we did not re-record - we're currently getting our next real episode re-recorded and fixed up so that you're not diving for the volume and feeling crazy throughout. Thanks for your patience!!

Episode 15 - The Black Cauldron, by Lloyd Alexander

This one's a doozy! Together, an overheated Madeleine and Grace explore the destructive glorification of war, powerful coming-of-age tales for teens, an endlessly relatable cast of characters, and whether Gurgi is more of a dog-man or a bear-man. Ya know, everything you've ever wondered when reading The Black Cauldron. Plus, an extended discussion of the myriad ways Disney messed up the 1985 film adaptation. Don't be a Gwystyl - join us!

Recorded at the tail end of a Seattle heat wave, enjoy the gentle background noises of a bowl of ice and multiple running fans. We're professionals!

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The wonderful Lloyd Alexander documentary that we mentioned -

Favorite fanart found while researching - Gwystyl by RM-WINCH -

Episode 14 - Witch Week, by Diana Wynne Jones

June has become official Witch Month here on Dragon Babies as we follow up Wee Free Men with the stunningly postmodern, cruelly hilarious Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones!

In a world where children are so awful that they put your school's bullies to shame, there's entirely too much magic floating around for witchcraft to be punishable by death. But witch orphans abound, and they're putting their newfound powers to good use by pranking the stuffing out of each other. Join us as we discuss the appeal of alternate fantasy realities and how (not) to talk to new people. Grace's Education Corner has entirely too much information about Guy Fawkes, and Madeleine's Law Corner is never happening again.

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If you're interested in academic takes on Diana Wynne Jones' works, these are fascinating:

• Time Control in Diana Wynne Jones' Fiction: The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Tesi di Laurea
• The Other in the School Stories: A Phenomenon in British Children’s Literature by Ulrike Pesold (not available to read in full online or seemingly anywhere but the available sections discussing Witch Week are on point)

Pluckiest Boy in School excerpt:

"What ripping fun!" exclaimed Watts Minor. "I'm down for scrum half this afternoon!"....Swelling with pride, Watts Minor gazed into the eyes of his one true friend. Here was a boy above all, straight alike in body and mind.

P.S. My (Grace's) favorite Lord of the Rings characters is Boromir. Comment yours below!!

Episode 13 - The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett

Ach, noo yer talkin’ oour language! Welcome to our second Terry Pratchett episode, featuring the indomitable Tiffany Aching! Join us as we discuss the first of Pratchett's YA novels and the terrifying, nightmare-ridden Fairyland that you never expected. We've got a lively conversation about whether baby brothers are inherently evil, entirely too much commentary on cheese, and even Grace's Gollum impression. Grab your frying pan and learn how to save the day - as 9-year-old Tiffany knows, it's all about your own selfish fury!

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This is unfortunately the first episode for which we were unable to get the correct edition that we read as kids - here's the cover we grew up with (which, to be honest, is eerily similar but still preferred):

Patricia C. Wrede's story about a frying pan weapon, Utensile Strength, can be found in the Book of Enchantments.

And I found a ton of amazing Wee Free Men cosplay & fanart while doing research for this episode, so - enjoy.

Sources: Tiffany Cosplay, Tiffany fighting Jenny Green-Teeth by Maria Antonova, Tiffany and the pictsies entering the dream world by arispk, The Wee Free men adaptation from a theater I sorely wish I could visit

Episode 12 - Zel, by Donna Jo Napoli

It’s time to get Grimm with an extended visit to the most famous fairy tale prison - and a new take on the witch that locked the damsel in a tower. Donna Jo Napoli's Zel honors its source material and never shies away from the more upsetting components of Rapunzel, but adds complexity and humanity with telling psychological portraits of Zel, Mother, and the obsessed nobleman who gets tangled up in their demonic pact.

Tempers are high and the sibling squabbling is strong - will we make it out alive, or be banished to the desert? Only one way to find out.

PLUS: Sesame Street’s take on Rapunzel; are you really aligning yourself with Satan if you’re not sure hell exists; what the heck does Rapunzel actually taste like??

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Sesame Street News Flash: Rapunzel

Gaze upon rapunzel and DESPAIR:

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