Episode 84 - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan Aiken

We read Joan Aiken’s alternate history wolf dystopia, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase! Evil wolves are roaming free, but they leave you alone more often than you’d expect. The real evil resides at Willoughby Chase manor, in the form of faux governess Miss Slighcarp and faux amnesiac Josiah Grimshaw. Protagonists Sylvia and Bonnie do everything possible to right their situation, but end up in a Dickensian orphanage with only gruel and raw eggs to eat. Will an escort of geese get them safely home again??

We savored this outsize parody of Victorian orphan tales - our only demand is more of Simon and his chestnut flour cakes. Join us!

This episode was requested by listeners Clarissa and Angela - thank you both! If you’d like to request a book for us to cover, leave a comment or email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

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Some of Pat Marriott’s great illustrations

Episode 83 - House of Many Ways, by Diana Wynne Jones

We're closing out the glorious Howl's series with House of Many Ways! Revel in the gleeful chaos of Diana Wynne Jones throwing her characters into increasingly bonkers situations. Our protagonist Charmain is ineffective but winning, Sophie and Calcifer are helping out where they can, and a mischievous "toddler" named Twinkle won't stop appearing on the roof. It's just the best - even with a healthy dose of Lubbock body horror.

Thanks to the many listeners who requested that we continue covering DWJ's Howl-adjacent books!

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Dina Norlund’s amazing House of Many Ways illustrations

Russian cover

Episode 82 - The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster

It's time to hop in your tiny car and head to the kingdom of Wisdom - we're revisiting The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster! Grace breaks down the ways in which her opinion of the book have (and have not) changed since her childhood obsession, and Madeleine discovers Juster's grammatical & mathematical whimsy for the first time. We discuss the ways in which you can use the book as a mindfulness exercise, as well as a tool for teaching kids about colonialism. Plus, a hearty helping of appreciation for Jules Feiffer’s incredible illustrations.

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Norton Juster on All Things Considered

Adventure Time - One Million Years Dungeon:

Some of our favorites of Jules Feiffer’s illustrations:

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Episode 81 - Pet, by Akwaeke Emezi

We’re visiting Lucille and its angels and monsters - we read Pet, by Akwaeke Emezi! Protagonist Jam, her best friend Redemption and a mysterious creature dubbed Pet seek out evil that lingers even in a supposed utopia. We revel in this nuanced, genre-defying coming of age story and explore the questions it brings up about human nature, restorative justice and children’s access to the unseen. Grace also admits to an entrenched Goodreads beef and Madeleine has some thoughts about ice cream. Listen in! Crow and Chestnut, signing out.

CW: Broad discussion of child abuse.

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Interview with Akwaeke Emezi in Teen Vogue

Life is Strange on Steam (Don’t let our hesitation to recommend it make you think we didn’t dress as Chloe and Max for Halloween 6 years ago)

Our episode on The Witches of Worm, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Episode 80 - Tehanu, by Ursula K. Le Guin

We discussed Tehanu, by Ursula K. Le Guin and nearly broke ourselves in the process! A book so emotion-inducing that we had to take a recovery break before recording, Tehanu takes us across Gont in the capable arms of Tenar. She ponders her identity as she cares for abandoned child Therru and deals with a deeply depressed, stripped-of-his-magic Ged. We dive into women’s anger, women’s work and women’s magic - which is neither wicked nor weak, contrary to the Earthsea aphorism. One of Le Guin’s most controversial and polarizing works, Tehanu is a powerful look at the value of domesticity and the ways we shape our own lives. Join us!

Thanks to all the listeners who requested that we continue on through Earthsea!

CW: Broad discussion of child abuse & assault.

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Other episodes mentioned:

• Emperor Mage, by Tamora Pierce

• The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley