Clifford the Big Red Dog
We know the massive lovable pooch, but why did he become such a staple of children’s literature? Who is responsible, and is there any psychology or science to his appeal? Come learn about Scholastic Book Fairs, Clifford, and more!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
photo, the original Clifford artwork https://bit.ly/cliffordoriginal
trailer, Clifford (2021) https://bit.ly/illclifford1
article, history of Scholastic https://bit.ly/illclifford2
article, history of Clifford books https://bit.ly/illclifford3
illiterate episode, on Dr. Seuss http://podcastgod.net/illiterate-episodes/drseuss
article, science of Clifford’s appeal https://bit.ly/illclifford5
article, CGI puppeteers interview https://bit.ly/illclifford6
video, tik tok “clifford horror puppet” https://bit.ly/illclifford7
video, baby’s color vision development https://bit.ly/illclifford4
My Hero Academia
Come dive in as we learn the history of manga, and this particular series by Kohei Horikoshi. What is his mysterious past and creative process, and why is this series blowing up internationally? What more can be said about superheroes? Let’s learn!
a correction in the episode: the genre Shōjo manga should be pronounced more like (SHOW-JOE) than (SHOW-JOO). Apologies!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
article, brief history of manga https://bit.ly/mhamanga1
trailer, My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (2021) https://bit.ly/mhamanga2
trailer, Your Name anime film (2016) https://bit.ly/mhamanga9
interview, Weekly Shonen Jump Editor in Chief https://bit.ly/mhamanga3
article, original 12th century “manga” https://bit.ly/mhamanga10
interview, editors of My Hero Academia https://bit.ly/mhamanga4
interview, creator Kohei Horikoshi https://bit.ly/mhamanga5
page, One Piece creator supporting Horikoshi https://bit.ly/mhamanga6
free first issue, My Hero Academia chapter 1 https://bit.ly/mhamanga7
video, Horikoshi’s other manga works https://bit.ly/mhamanga8
Shrek (part 2)
What happened with the grumpy lovable ogre? How did he become a facet of meme culture, and does it say anything true about his character?
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
video, Shrek’s childhood obesity campaign https://bit.ly/shrekstasy2
video, Shrek: The Musical https://bit.ly/shrekstasy1
video, first All Star parody https://bit.ly/shrekstasy6
article, All Star memes https://bit.ly/shrekstasy7
comic, Shrek and Shadow the Hedgehog https://bit.ly/shrekstasy5
article, Shrek meme culture https://bit.ly/shrekstasy8
video, Shrek Retold fan creation https://bit.ly/shrekstasy3
event, Shrekfest https://bit.ly/shrekstasy4
Shrek (part 1)
Get out of our swamp! We uncover the original book, and the history of the film’s production. Come learn about the subliminal insider jabs at Disney employees, how the soundtrack actually speaks to the story, and who fought the war for the best CGI film.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Shrek (2001) https://bit.ly/shrekbook1
video, Shrek bonus feature on production process https://bit.ly/shrekbook2
video, footage of Chris Farley as Shrek https://bit.ly/shrekbook3
video, on the pop music in Shrek https://bit.ly/shrekbook4
Fear Street (R.L. Stine and Goosebumps too)
The teenage slasher series written by the bestselling series author of the 90’s has come to the screen. Learn the insider history behind the author’s life, and what makes these books so popular.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Fear Street film trilogy (Netflix) https://bit.ly/rlstine1
tv episode, failed Fear Street pilot (1998) https://bit.ly/rlstine2
pdf, RL Stine writing program for elementary schools https://bit.ly/rlstine3
interviews, RL Stine https://bit.ly/rlstine4 https://bit.ly/rlstine5
promo video, RL Stine hosts a comedy show at UCB https://bit.ly/rlstine6
video, Funny or Die sketch, banned Goosebumps titles https://bit.ly/rlstine7
Cruella
We dissect the origins of the literary character Cruella de Vil, the bizarre never-made sequel, and female villainy in stories.
Extras:
trailer, Cruella (2021) http://bit.ly/cruella1
trailer, One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) http://bit.ly/cruella3
video, Tallulah Bankhead (inspiration) laughing http://bit.ly/cruella4
article, connections to The Devil Wears Prada http://bit.ly/cruella5
interview, director Craig Gillespie http://bit.ly/cruella6
review, The Starlight Barking (book sequel http://bit.ly/cruella7
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Shadow and Bone
What’s all the fuss behind this YA series turned epic Netflix show? Why haven’t we seen many Slavic fantasy stories? And why are the magicians called Greg?
Extras:
trailer, Shadow and Bone (2021) http://bit.ly/shadowbone4
interview, Leigh Bardugo http://bit.ly/shadowbone1
article, history of Eric Heisserer showrunning http://bit.ly/shadowbone2
article, guide to Slavic fantasy http://bit.ly/shadowbone3
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Princess Bride
How did this endearing, comforting fantasy tale come to be? Learn why the book is so different in the telling, and the life and journey of William Goldman in turning books into films.
Extras:
trailer, The Princess Bride (1987) http://bit.ly/pbride1
document, the “missing scene” from the book http://bit.ly/pbride2
book, Adventures in the Screen Trade (memoir) http://bit.ly/pbride3
article, making of the film http://bit.ly/pbride4
book, on the life of William Goldman http://bit.ly/pbride5
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Concrete Cowboy
Learn the history of riding on the open range, the Kentucky Derby, urban horse-stables, and the original Lone Ranger. Concrete Cowboy is on Netflix, based on the book Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.
Extras:
trailer, Concrete Cowboy http://bit.ly/ccowboy5
article, history of Black cowboys http://bit.ly/ccowboy7
video, US Marshall Bass Reeves bio http://bit.ly/ccowboy8
fundraiser, Fletcher St Urban Riding Club http://bit.ly/ccowboy2
fundraiser, Philly Urban Riding Academy http://bit.ly/ccowboy1
photo series, Fletcher St stables http://bit.ly/ccowboy3
org, Neighborhood Film Co. http://bit.ly/ccowboy4
TED talk, Ricky Staub http://bit.ly/ccowboy6
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Justice League
Who was Gardner Fox, the mastermind writer behind the superhero genre? Why is it so hard to make a Justice League movie? And what the heck is a Multiverse?
Extras:
trailer, Zack Snyder’s Justice League http://bit.ly/zsjl1
article, history of Justice League film http://bit.ly/zsjl2
video, commentary on the cancelled 1997 TV pilot http://bit.ly/jlapilotvid
video, history of the Justice Society of America http://bit.ly/jsaexplained
book, Gardner Fox biography http://bit.ly/gfbiography
site, Gardner Fox’s 160 novels http://bit.ly/gflibrary1
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Moxie & Mean Girls
Come learn about the Riot Grrrl movement, the history of women in stand-up and television comedy, and the parenting guidebook that Mean Girls is based on.
Extras:
trailer, Moxie http://bit.ly/moxiefilm1
song, the Linda Lindas perform “Rebel Girl” http://bit.ly/moxiefilm2
playlist, inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement http://bit.ly/moxiefilm3
doc, Women in Comedy on PBS http://bit.ly/moxiefilm4
doc, The Punk Singer, Kathleen Hanna http://bit.ly/moxiefilm5
stand up, Moms Mabley http://bit.ly/moxiefilm6
book, Queen Bees and Wannabees http://bit.ly/moxiefilm7
book, Moxie http://bit.ly/moxiefilm8
book, We Killed: The Rise of Women in American Comedy http://bit.ly/moxiefilm9
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Enola Holmes (Nancy Springer)
Dive into the mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ secret sister. Learn about - all the things people get wrong about Sherlock, obscure copyright laws, and what the heck a “pastiche” is. Enola Holmes is on Netflix, based on a book series by Nancy Springer.
Extras:
trailer for “Enola Holmes” // 3 min http://bit.ly/enolaholmestrail
Conan Doyle’s book “The Coming of the Fairies” // book http://bit.ly/fairiesdoyle
what isn’t actually in the books // article http://bit.ly/holmescanon
the lawsuit against Enola Holmes // article http://bit.ly/enolalawsuit
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Avatar: The Last Airbender
How did the hit Nickelodeon show come to be? What made it so revolutionary? And why is it all up in the news again? Avatar: The Last Airbender was created by Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino, based on the folklore and cultures of Chinese, East Asian, South Asian, Indian, Mesoamerican, and Inuit peoples.
Extras:
original trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender // 1 min http://bit.ly/avatartrailer1
documentary on Bryan and Mike about the show’s creation // 32 minshttp://bit.ly/avatardoc1
podcast interview with Bryan & Michael (series creators) // 40 minshttp://bit.ly/avatardoc2
original test pilot episode for Avatar // 11 mins http://bit.ly/avatarpilot
Joseph Campbell on The Power of Myth // 56 mins http://bit.ly/powerofmyth1
cultural influences in the world of Avatar // 12 mins http://bit.ly/avatardoc3
master list of influences on the Avatar series // article http://bit.ly/avatarinfluences
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Secret Garden (by Frances Hodgson Burnett)
Frances Hodgson Burnett was the bestselling American female novelist of her lifetime. How did her legacy end up becoming an often-forgotten children’s book? The film is now on HBO Max, based on the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Extras:
trailer for The Secret Garden (2020) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden2020
trailer for The Secret Garden (1993) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden1993
the differences from the novel // article https://bit.ly/secretgardendiff
the history of the Fauntleroy suit // article https://bit.ly/fauntleroysuit
Frances’ essay, My Robin // article https://bit.ly/francesmyrobin
the Unexpected Life of the Author of the Secret Garden // bookhttps://bit.ly/fhbbiography
The Secret Garden full book text // book https://bit.ly/secretgardenfull
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Kissing Booth (by Beth Reekles)
Shakespeare wrote fan-fiction? There’s sexy Gulliver’s Travels fanart? This is our most salacious episode yet, as we dive into the world of self-publishing on Wattpad, fan lit, and the most watched film on Netflix.
Extras:
the trailer for The Kissing Booth 2 // video https://bit.ly/kissingboothtrailer
how The Kissing Booth film became popular // article https://bit.ly/kissbooth1
the self-publishing website Wattpad // website https://www.wattpad.com
Jacob Elordi (Noah) on the show // article https://bit.ly/kissbooth2
the story behind “After” // article https://bit.ly/afterbook1
Gulliver’s travels fanfiction art // article https://bit.ly/gulliverfanfic
Henry Fielding’s 1740’s fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/fanfiction1
a history of fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/fanfiction2
trailer for The Edge of Seventeen // video https://bit.ly/edgeof17trailer
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Love, Victor (Love, Simon by Becky Albertalli)
Learn about the work that brought gay teen love stories to the mainstream. Love, Victor is on Hulu and based on the film Love, Simon, adapted from the book Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda written by Becky Albertalli.
Extras:
trailer for Love, Victor on Hulu // video https://bit.ly/lovevictortralier
interview with writer Becky Albertalli on start // article https://bit.ly/beckyainterview
interview with writer Becky Albertalli on process // video https://bit.ly/beckyint2
Becky recommends Jaclyn Moriarty // article https://bit.ly/beckyjaclyn
database for LGBTQ books https://lgbtqreads.com
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 3) (by JK Rowling)
How so many parts of our world have been touched by the magic.
Extras:
how Harry Potter changed books // article https://bit.ly/hpbooklegacy
the problem with translating HP // video https://bit.ly/translatinghp
Harry Potter Voldemort name translations // article https://bit.ly/voldemortname
a Harry and the Potters song // video https://bit.ly/handthep
My Immortal, the worst fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/myimmortalff
the Quidditch World Cup // video https://bit.ly/quidditchvid
book lengths over time // article https://bit.ly/yabooklength
the misquoted Onion Satanism piece // article https://bit.ly/hponion
Hogwarts beats a real school in rankings // article https://bit.ly/loretto1
the demand for pet owls // article https://bit.ly/owlpotter1
JK Rowling’s essay on gender issues // article https://bit.ly/jkessay1
the infamous Harry Potter Puppet Pals // video https://bit.ly/hppuppet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 2) (by JK Rowling)
The magical cinematic journey from book to screen.
Extras:
the first screen test with Harry, Hermione, and Ron // 12 min https://bit.ly/hpscreentest
Diagon Alley on Google Maps street view // link https://bit.ly/diagonmaps
JK Rowling’s new free book, The Ickabog // link https://bit.ly/ickabogbook
the terrible NY Times review // article https://bit.ly/hpnytreview
a conversation between Rowling and Radcliffe // 53 min https://bit.ly/rowlingradcliffe
a conversation between Rowling and Kloves // 47 min https://bit.ly/rowlingkloves
why Harry’s eyes aren’t green // article https://bit.ly/hpgreeneyes
Robin Williams as Hagrid // article https://bit.ly/robinwilliamshagrid
Eight-part Entertainment Weekly reporting // article https://bit.ly/ewharrypotter
How Daniel became Harry Potter // article https://bit.ly/danielpotter
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 1) (by JK Rowling)
How it all began, with the woman who made the best-selling book series of all time.
Extras:
JK Rowling on her extensive notes // 5 min https://bit.ly/harrypnotes
interview with the publisher on accepting JK Rowling // 4 min https://bit.ly/hppublisher
documentary spotlight on JK Rowling // 24 min https://bit.ly/JKspotlight
Oprah interview with JK Rowling // 40 min https://bit.ly/jkoprah
radio interview with JK Rowling, 1999 // article https://bit.ly/1999jkint
Harry Potter in Ancient Greek // article https://bit.ly/hpgreek
New Yorker piece on JK Rowling // article https://bit.ly/mugglemarch
book on the origins of Harry Potter // book https://bit.ly/hporiginsbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Peter Pan (by JM Barrie)
The new, artistic film “Wendy” by Benh Zeitlin, the odd life of author JM Barrie, and the largest covert operation to fly children across the world. We’re giving you everything you need to know about Peter Pan.
Extras:
Wendy trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/wendytrail
history of the name Wendy // article http://bit.ly/wendyname
the life of JM Barrie // article http://bit.ly/jmbarriebio
interview with director Benh Zeitlin // article http://bit.ly/wendydirector
Operation Pedro Pan documentary // 4 mins http://bit.ly/operationpedro
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod