Episode 65 - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, by Patricia A. McKillip

We’ve found the perfect quarantine reread! A lyrical, masterful meditation on solitude, power and the glory of big cats and magical boars, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip is a delight. Grace and Madeleine discuss the appeal of going it alone in your crystal wizard dome vs. the more realistic outcome of heading to Sirle to get married. Whether you’re in total isolation or holed up with your foster son, riddle master boar and insatiable yearning for the Liralen, we think you’ll enjoy this one. Also, BLAMMOR.

Content warning: mentions of sexual assault.

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Audible cover

Current edition cover

Other episodes mentioned:

• Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

• The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. LeGuin

Episode 64 - The Borrowers, by Mary Norton

Return to the warm embrace of a beloved childhood classic that’s surprisingly disturbing and sad! The Borrowers by Mary Norton is a weird, fun read for human beans of all ages. Madeleine and Grace explore the complex messages, tiny foodstuffs and flawed worldviews that make up Arrietty Clock’s life. Plus: was Parasite inspired by The Borrowers? Do you love shrimp salad? And a bonus Easter egg hunt interlude!

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The Fair Lawn Library Children’s Room Youtube channel

Other episodes mentioned:

• Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

• Redwall, by Brian Jacques

• The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett

Episode 63 - The Witches of Worm, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Has a kitten recently approached you and demanded that you perform increasingly dangerous pranks? Get everything you need to handle the situation (including a step by step exorcism!) with The Witches of Worm, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. Grace and Madeleine explore Snyder’s subtle blurring of the line between fantasy and reality, indulge in a TV dinner reverie and even return to Madeleine’s Law Corner.

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Original cover:

Some of Alton Raible’s killer illustrations:

Episode 62 - The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, Edited By Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Just in time for quarantine: a super-sized Dragon Babies special! We’re covering the anthology The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. Ease yourself into the soothing power of the wood and leave your troubles behind.

Unfortunately, this episode does have a few sound issues - our apologies! Guess the wood sprites weren’t into us discussing their secrets.

Works included in this anthology:

• Going Wodwo by Neil Gaiman

• Grand Central Park by Delia Sherman

• Daphne by Michael Cadnum

• Somewhere in My Mind There is a Painting Box by Charles de Lint

• Among the Leaves So Green by Tanith Lee

• Song of the Cailleach Bheur by Jane Yolen

• Hunter’s Moon by Patricia McKillip

• Charlie’s Away by Midori Snyder

• A World Painted By Birds by Katherine Vaz

• Grounded by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

• Overlooking by Carol Emshwiller

• Fee, Fie, Foe, et Cetera by Gregory Maguire

• Joshua Tree by Emma Bull

• Ali Anugne O Chash (The Boy Who Was) by Carolyn Dunn

• Remnants by Kathe Koja

• The Pagodas of Ciboure by M. Shayne Bell

• Green Men by Bill Lewis

• The Green Word by Jeffrey Ford

Places to get a copy:

Ebook coming soon from Barnes and Noble

Or from your local bookstore or library! ISBN is 9780670035267

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A selection of our favorite Charles Vess illustrations featured in the anthology -

Night in the Woods on Steam

Red as Blood, or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer by Tanith Lee

Episode 61 - The Homeward Bounders, by Diana Wynne Jones

Grace and Madeleine continue on in their quest to become the preeminent Diana Wynne Jones podcast by diving into the warped, nihilistic worlds within The Homeward Bounders. We discuss why this may be Diana Wynne Jones' best book, Helen's unparalleled Look, and the joys of Jamie's first person narration. Whether you've found Home again or you're still out searching for the next Bound, hopeless or still with a kernel of optimism somewhere in your soul, this incredible book has something to offer.

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Ramsey! If you'd like to make a listener request, email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

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Some of our favorite covers for different The Homeward Bounders editions:

Check out our other Diana Wynne Jones episodes if you’re new around here!

• Fire and Hemlock

• Dark Lord of Derkholm

• Witch Week

• A Tale of Time City

• Howl’s Moving Castle

The Left / Right Game (note - this is a scary and often violent story so if you’re not into horror skip it!)