Episode 56 - Many Waters, by Madeleine L'Engle

We’ve arrived at our most scandalous episode to date, and it all starts with the saucy paperback cover featuring a shirtless Sandy and Dennys under a soft-eyed angel. Yes, we’re diving into Many Waters, by Madeleine L’Engle, and we’re rushing to get out of dodge before the flood while also wondering whether the Oasis deserves all this apocalyptic punishment in the first place! Madeleine and Grace take uncharacteristically opposing stances on this one, and debate the merits of a YA retelling of a biblical doozy. Tiny mammoths abound and things get sandy. You’re welcome to try to approach a unicorn, but first we’ll need to know - do you have your driver’s license? Whether you’re a fan of the Deux Ex Manticore or not, we think there’s plenty to explore in this trippy journey back in time.

NOTE - While still technically clean, this episode features discussion of sexual content present in the book and may not be suitable for young listeners.

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A few great Many Waters critiques:

Biblical Fantasy: Many Waters, by Mari Ness

Virtual Unicorns: Religion and Science in Many Waters, by Laura Gibbs

And a very funny piece by the always brilliant Daniel Mallory Ortberg

Episode 55 - Beauty, by Robin McKinley

We revisited Beauty, by Robin McKinley, and were left asking the same question this centuries-old fairy tale always inspires: is this relationship… okay? You can probably guess our answer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out our journey into McKinley’s gorgeous, gothic fantasy story. We follow Beauty as she learns to love herself (inside and out) and appreciate a more melancholy, thoughtful Beast. Join us!

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Lindsay Ellis’ video essay on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Crimson Peak (2015)

MINI EPISODE - Over the Garden Wall & Children's Fantasy

This is a special Halloween mini episode about our favorite animated miniseries, Over the Garden Wall! We explore the children’s fantasy literature and fairy tales that influenced the series, as well as our own nostalgic twinges inspired by the Unknown.

Thanks so much for the special episode idea, Amy! If you have a request of your own, get in touch at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

We discuss a TON of pieces of animated ephemera in this episode - you can find links to all below!

Grace’s introduction:

I went into Over the Garden Wall pretty blind, knowing only that it was created by an Adventure Time storyboard artist. Within the first 10 minutes, I had forgotten about Adventure Time, up to that point my most beloved cartoon, entirely. The muted brown forest backdrop overlaid with striking, searing blazes of color depicting an eternal autumn; two oddly matched brothers in a cone hat and a teakettle, accompanied by an erstwhile frog and sharp-tongued bluebird; the layers of buried memories of my favorite 70’s and 80’s-era animations that went rented from Blockbuster or taped off basic cable coming to an abrupt head.

Each successive episode adds a new layer to the enchanted wood, weaving together miniature personal dramas like a woeful schoolteacher’s no good two-timing Jimmy Brown of a fiancé and life or death stakes culminating in a frozen Greg marching determinedly through the snow, alone but with hope still in his heart. To say that this series is rewatchable is to do it a disservice. It must be rewatched, again and again, and the jokes will still make you laugh, and the art will still make you marvel, and Greg and Wirt and Beatrice will still make you wish that you could spend a day exploring alongside them.

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Tome of the Unknown

Frogland

Art of Over the Garden Wall from Dark Horse Comics

Journey Back to Oz

The Ichabod Crane Song (*note - contrary to Madeleine’s memory it is not actually 9 minutes long)

Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life by Maurice Sendak

The Over the Garden Wall soundtrack

Episode 54 - Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood, by Meredith Ann Pierce

Are you searching for the Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood? Are you a knight who may or may not also be a fox? Do you get tired of all the grain growing in your hair? We’ve got the perfect episode to ease your troubles and end the ceaseless winter. Meredith Ann Pierce’s dreamy coming-of-age fairy tale has something for the Hannah in all of us. Listeners will also enjoy learning the unorthodox way in which Grace managed to convince her cat to come home last week. Grab your badger & magpie friends and listen in!

Episode 53 - The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley

We're headed back to Damar with The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley! Grace and Madeleine investigate the treatment of colonialism in a fantasy world, and wish they had their very own giant cats to keep them company during naps and battles alike. Join us in investigating the connections between Aerin and Harry, talking about when anger is a positive force, and wishing for more Luthe. Also: please begin throwing small cakes at your wedding guests.

This episode was a listener(s) request - thanks, Terkkila and asperajd! If you'd like to make a request, get in touch at dragonbabiespodcast.com.