If there's a painting that provides a better distillation of "80's FANTASY MADNESS," please share it with us

Episode 22 - Dragonsong, by Anne McCaffrey

December 21, 2017 by Grace Harnois

Dragonsong has every permutation of our own dang podcast name we could ask for - dragon babies, baby dragons, and even baby dragon babies (we've never been more on brand). But that's not the only reason we've loved this book since Grace stole our copy from her 5th grade classroom. By turns triumphant and devastating, Anne McCaffrey's classic novel about a gifted, determined and resilient young woman with a penchant for taming fire lizards born into a family that couldn't care less gives outsiders everywhere a rallying cry. We discuss fantasy elements within a sci-fi world, the irrepressible power of music, and the monotony of fish-based cuisine.

You don't even need to go *between* to listen, so dive in!

MINI EPISODE - Visiting the Terry Pratchett Exhibition

November 20, 2017 by Grace Harnois

We saw Terry Pratchett: HisWorld at the Salisbury Museum - and we have thoughts! In all honesty, this is much more stream-of-consciousness gushing than fully formed analysis but hey, that's basically our brand at this point. This episode features Grace and our mother, Elise! Madeleine was not able to join us on the trip but she was there in spirit. Enjoy!

The exhibition is open until January 14th and we HIGHLY recommend it if you are in England or will be visiting at some point soon! Tell the museum employees that the mom and daughter duo from Seattle sent you :-)

NOTE - I forget Josh Kirby's last name during the episode because I was extremely jet-lagged and also drinking a Guinness; apologies! (And it's so similar to Paul Kidby's name, which - weird).

Also, if you're new to Dragon Babies and a Pratchett fan, check out Episode 8 - Mort, and Episode 13 - Wee Free Men!

Selection of photos from the exhibit -

Definitely not the castle depicted in the book, but still - a GREAT castle

Episode 21 - The Enchanted Castle, by E. Nesbit

November 16, 2017 by Grace Harnois

Like your magic with a side of unintended consequences? Dive into four children's thrilling, frightening and nearly supervision-free summer as they discover The Enchanted Castle. As lifelong fans of sinister magical rings, E. Nesbit's classic is fully in our wheelhouse - although it's the absurd quantities of PRETEND FOOD that bring out our true devotion. It's time to swim with marble statues, chase an Ugly Wugly around London and demand your afternoon tea, at any cost (we see you, Jimmy). Great for invisible and non-invisible listeners alike!

This episode was inspired by a listener suggestion - thanks so much for emailing us about E. Nesbit, Dan! If you have a book you love that you'd be interested in hearing us cover, just shoot us an email at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

EPISODE MEDIA

Gore Vidal on the unpopularity of E. Nesbit's books in the U.S. - The Writing of E. Nesbit

List of Buns on Wikipedia

Some of our favorites of H.R. Millar's illustrations -

Episode 20 - The Voyage of the Basset, by James C. Christensen

November 01, 2017 by Grace Harnois

Time for something a little different! We're celebrating our 20th episode with a look at one of our favorite fantasy art books from childhood, the Voyage of the Basset. We didn't realize that it's much more art than story as kids, but we do now! Join us in discussing family-friendly versions of famous mythological baddies, looking at drawings of pretty ladies, and deciding whether it's cool for a manticore and a sphynx to enter into a romantic relationship. Credendo vides (or not! Skeptics welcome).

Selection of art from the book below - please forgive our inexpert scans!

The Hero and the Crown cover cropped.png

Episode 19 - The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley

October 13, 2017 by Grace Harnois

Evil dragons. An impossible love. Our favorite fully realized horse. Whatever malak is. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley is much more than just the 1985 Newberry Medal winner (although Aerin does look mighty nice next to that gold seal). Rereading this one shook us to our cores and inspired an impassioned discussion about how female characters complicate the hero's journey, sneaky flashbacks and time jumps, debilitating dragon-inflicted wounds, and mik-bar cravings. Settle down inside your gray castle on the Lake of Dreams and steel yourself - Feelings ahead.

EPISODE MEDIA

Dragon-Slayer vs. Dragon-Sayer: Reimagining the Female Fantasy Heroine (aka the paper that we rightfully ripped apart during our discussion on the book's feminism)

For our Pretend Foodies - Robin McKinley's answers to questions about malak and mik-bars