Adam's Sneak Peeks | Beauty and Barry
Evaluation and Summary
Adam Gidwitz, creator of the Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest podcast, presents an early draft of a new story inspired by Filipino folklore, co-hosted with Liz Gotauco. The tale centers on Princess Madayaw (nicknamed Beauty) and Prince Barom-Mai (Barry), two characters destined to marry who embark on an adventure to collect magical items intended to help Barry win Beauty's affection. The story takes an unexpected turn when their plan goes awry, forcing the couple to navigate challenges that ultimately deepen their understanding of each other and strengthen their bond. The episode is positioned as a "sneak peek" that invites listener feedback to help shape the final version of the story. Gidwitz is known for his Grimm-inspired retellings that blend dark fairy-tale elements with humor and heart, making this preview an opportunity for his audience to participate in the creative process. The episode is rated "Grim," suggesting it contains the show's typical blend of darker themes appropriate for older children and families. The description emphasizes the collaborative nature of the episode, positioning listeners as creative partners rather than passive consumers. The story itself appears to subvert traditional romance tropes by focusing on mutual understanding and growth rather than grand romantic gestures, which aligns with Gidwitz's known approach to reimagining classic tales with contemporary sensibilities.
Verdict: A solid sneak-peek episode that delivers on its premise with an established author's creative work, but limited source material prevents confident assessment of substance and pacing.
Kids & Family rubric
-
Age-appropriate and engaging 3/5 20%
Rated 'Grim' and features adventure with magical elements; likely engaging for the show's established audience but limited detail on specific content to fully assess appropriateness.
-
Educational or emotional value 3/5 20%
Story emphasizes mutual understanding and personal growth between characters, offering some emotional value around relationships and communication.
-
Trustworthy guidance 3/5 15%
Gidwitz is an established, reputable children's author; no red flags in description, though limited detail on specific messages or advice within the story.
-
Substance 2/5 15%
Show notes provide plot summary but little detail on actual content depth, story complexity, or how much substantive material fills the 40-minute runtime.
-
Delivers on its title 4/5 15%
Title promises a sneak peek of a new story, and the episode delivers exactly that with Filipino folklore inspiration and character introduction.
-
Value for time 3/5 15%
40 minutes for a story preview with co-host discussion is reasonable, though pacing cannot be assessed from description alone.
Worth it if you're a fan of Adam Gidwitz's Grimm retellings or enjoy Filipino folklore-inspired stories with humor and heart.
Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.
Show notes
More from Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest
Adam Gidwitz presents an early draft of a new story inspired by Grimm fairy tales, specifically a magical adaptation of the Norse folktale "Tatterhood." Co-hosted with Jonah Dragan, the episode features a tale about a king and queen who wish for a child and receive an unexpected surprise. The narrative follows an…
Worth it if you enjoy Grimm fairy tale retellings, appreciate Adam Gidwitz's storytelling, or want to help shape a new children's story while hearing it early.
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest presents 'The Singing Bone,' a classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale adapted for audio. The episode tells the story of two brothers tasked with saving their kingdom from a dangerous wild boar. However, the narrative takes a darker turn when the younger brother discovers that the boar threat pales…
Worth it if you enjoy classic Grimm tales and want a concise, darker-themed story suitable for older children or family listening with parental awareness of mature content.
This is a 2-minute promotional episode for a live theatrical event featuring author Adam Gidwitz performing his "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest" stories in Tarrytown, New York on October 25, 2026. The episode invites listeners to attend an interactive afternoon show where children will participate in shaping two fairy tales…
Worth it if you live near Tarrytown, NY and are already fans of Adam Gidwitz looking for event details.
Adam Gidwitz presents an early draft of a dark, Grimm-inspired fairy tale titled 'The Snake Sister.' The story follows Annie, a young girl whose mother dies and is subsequently placed under the care of her friend's mother—who is revealed to be a cruel witch. The witch manipulates Annie's father into marriage, then…
Worth it if you enjoy dark retellings of classic fairy tales, appreciate Adam Gidwitz's storytelling style, or want to participate in shaping a story's development.
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest presents a classic Grimm fairy tale adaptation titled 'Donkey Lettuce,' a 25-minute episode rated as 'Grimmer' on the show's darkness scale. The episode features a brave boy protagonist who encounters a mean witch and must navigate a conflict involving magical or unusual lettuce. The show…
Worth it if you enjoy Grimm fairy tale adaptations and don't mind darker, slightly grotesque storytelling for kids.
Adam Gidwitz presents an early draft of "Scarlet and the Dragons," a new fairy-tale-inspired story that riffs on classic Grimm themes. The narrative follows Scarlet, a runaway who finds shelter in a mysterious forest house run by a kind woman and her seven sons, bound by a peculiar rule: Scarlet must leave every…
Worth it if you enjoy Grimm-inspired fairy tales with darker themes, appreciate Adam Gidwitz's storytelling, and want to participate in shaping a new story—or if you're a Pinna subscriber looking for exclusive Season 6 content.