Books From the Basement

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lisa and Amy head back to Trixie land for a special in-between series book. The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper is filled with BWG intrigue and fun. There's a stranger lurking around town (and running after a tween), Bobby's a "secret" equestrian, a teacher's aide has a mysterious aura, and the BWGs need lots of meetings! In Lisa's...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Lisa and Amy finish off the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series with a wrap-up episode. Lisa provides a rundown of all the Piggle-Wiggle "cases," and she and Amy share their opinions about whether the children were actually cured. Also, Amy summarizes a biography she read about Betty McDonald and describes some of the author's other works. Lisa uses a new party boo...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, Lisa talks with permanent guest, Stephanie, about the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. They also begin their plan for the Trans-Allegany Lunatic Asylum field trip. Lastly, as a special treat for all you Trixie Belden fans, Stephanie takes a quiz that tests her knowledge of the books. It's an episode you won't want to miss! Please rate, review and s...

Send us Fan Mail Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In this episode, Lisa and Amy finish their discussion of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. The last two cures in Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, are “The Whisperer” and “The Slowpoke.” But are those really the issues these children need cures for? Tune in and find out! In Lisa's ender, Amy & Lisa celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a holiday party from the C...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lisa and Amy start the last book they'll be reviewing in the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. There are five more cures in Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle , and the magic potions are back! First up is "The Show-Off Cure," followed by "The Crybaby Cure," and a magical treatment for the neighborhood bully. In Lisa's ender, the Cokesbury Party Book...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lisa and Amy finally finish their revisit to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm ! The last chapter, "The Can't Find It Cure," have them both stumped. What exactly is Morton Featherwick's problem? Will a tough lesson about responsibility at Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's farm be enough to curb his distraction issue? In Lisa's ender, it's back t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lisa and Amy only have time to tackle one cure from Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's farm. The Fraidy-Cat Cure is for Phoebe Jackstraw who is afraid of everything. Will a trip to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's magic farm be just the cure she needs to get over her fears? Tune in and find out. In Lisa's ender, settle in for two President's Day Parties. First up is &qu...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Valentine's Day! We're taking a break from Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to provide you with this special episode. There's nothing like a good party to make your Valentine's Day even more fun (or at least tolerable). We have three parties on deck from two of your favorite party planners, and one new one! So, sit back and relax as you listen to Lisa and Amy try to un...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, Lisa and Amy continue to chat about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggles Farm . In the two chapters they cover, the animals have a lot to say, especially Penelope the parrot who has now become quite the conversationalist! Cures discussed are "The Pet Forgetter Cure" and "The destructiveness Cure." In Lisa's ender, it's time to move into so...

Send us Fan Mail We're finally back with a new episode! Continuing with the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series, next up is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm.  In this episode, Lisa and Amy cover "The Not Truthful Cure." Fetlock Harroway's insatiable imagination leads him to spread all kinds of wild stories around town. Settle in and find out how Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle solves this problem using...

Send us Fan Mail Join Lisa and Amy as they delve into the second half of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic . In this episode, there are some new misbehaving kiddos for them to discuss: The Interrupters, The Heedless Breaker, The Never-Want-to-Go-to-Schooler, and the Waddle-I-Doers. Find out how Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle cures these troublemakers and returns peace to their households. It's time for the...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Amy review the first half of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic , which is the second book in the series. Cures discussed in this episode are: The Thought-You-Saiders Cure, The Tattletale Cure & the Bad-Table-Manners Cure.  In Lisa’s ender, brace yourself for two highly inappropriate games from the Fellows, and a party where guests come dressed as children. Please rate,...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Thanksgiving! It’s time for the first bonus episode of Season 2. In this jam-packed episode, Lisa and Amy answer questions raised during their special Halloween Bonus Episode. Find out the facts behind the Halloween candy panic and the specifics on the Bloody Mary game. Then you’ll learn all about the Tylenol and Excedrin tampering cases of the 1980’s. After that, Lisa and A...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Amy finish up with the first book of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. In this episode, they cover the last two of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s inventive cures: The Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Taker Cure and The Fighter-Quarrelers Cure. In Lisa’s ender, she steps into a Thanksgiving theme with “The Weary Pilgrim Party” from A Calendar of Parties , by Edith & Jack B. Fellows. Please rat...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Amy continue on with the first book of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. In this episode, they cover three of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s inventive cures: The Selfishness Cure, The Radish Cure, and The Never-Want-to-go-to-Bedders Cure. In Lisa’s ender, the fun continues with a “Harvester’s Social,” yet another interesting (and potentially dangerous), event from A Calendar of Partie...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Amy are back from hiatus and kicking off Season 2  with a bang. The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series was a favorite of both while growing up in the 70s. They're beginning with the first book in the series: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle .  Join them as they discuss the misbehaving children around the neighborhood, and discover how Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle helps weary parents get their kids b...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Halloween!! It’s that ghostly time of the year, and Lisa and Amy have a spoooky mid-week bonus episode for you!  Learn fun facts about the holiday and enjoy the wacky details of some ghastly Halloween parties. It’s an episode you won’t want to skip! Hope everyone out there has a safe and enjoyable Halloween! Boo! Please rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. It's...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if warm milk really makes you sleepy? You’ll learn all about it and more in this bonus medical episode. Topics include Tetanus, the history of medical imaging, spinal cord injuries, and illegal drugs. There’s no starter and no ender--just content and conversation. Sit back, relax and join Lisa and Amy as they tackle these subjects and more.   Please rate, re...

Send us Fan Mail If you enjoy Lisa's enders, this episode is for you! Sit back and enjoy all the ice breakers, party games, forfeits, and neighborhood games your heart desires. Also, Lisa and Amy once again try to figure out the "murder" game using several different sources. Tune in to find out if they will ever have the knowledge to host a party with this game as part of the entert...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for our fifth bonus episode because it’s all about the Mighty Mississippi (and one other random topic). In this episode, Lisa and Amy discuss questions and topics from Trixie Belden and The Mystery on the Mississippi . You’ll learn about the history of the Mississippi River and its impact on American life. Also, discover some interesting facts about the indigenous inhabi...

Send us Fan Mail It's time for our fourth bonus episode! Lisa and Amy discuss questions and topics that have come up during our latest episodes. You'll hear interesting information about such things as the history of vending machines, how telegrams changed communication, how slavery in the 1800’s affected NYC, and a little about the underground railroad. You'll also learn all about...

Send us Fan Mail Join Lisa and Amy as they wrap-up season one with a discussion of the Trixie Belden series. You will also hear input from our listeners about their experiences with the Trixie books, both as children and adults, and how the podcast has helped them revisit these books in a whole new light. Thank you to our amazing listener, Stephanie, for her participation in this episode! Stephani...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa and Amy are more than challenged by their last Trixie Belden book episode. The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest  has been a struggle to this point, and the final part offers very little clarity. As Juliana’s wedding day approaches, the BWGs continue to work the Miss Ryks case. How many times can Lisa and Amy say, “It makes no sense,” “I don’t know,” “It doesn’t say,” “They don’...

Send us Fan Mail Part two of The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest   has Lisa & Amy stumped and frustrated. The book becomes even more convoluted as they try to find answers to the many, many, many questions. This week in Trixie land, Trixie, Honey & Hallie juggle between investigating the strange new occurrences in Sleepyside and planning Juliana’s wedding.  More questions! Are Trixie and Ha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lisa and Amy begin their discussion of The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest . This book will close out the first season of Books From the Basement, and it’s a doozy! Hans and Juliana are getting married at Manor House, and it’s going to be one crazy wedding! To make things even more wonky, Trixie’s cousin, Hallie Belden, comes to town and makes it impossible for thi...