How to Be a Viking
I love hearing ‘origin’ stories about books, especially about beloved series in our house. Cressida Cowell opens How to Be a Viking with an explanation that the series was inspired by a drawing she did in her sketch book about a little Viking prone to seasickness and his relationship with his father, who happens to be chief of their tribe. Thus Hiccup and Stoik the Vast are born (and later spun into the How to Train Your Dragon series).
I spotted this picture book while in Denver for the holidays. My nephew, E, introduced us all to the How to Train Your Dragon series a few years ago, and even gifted Little Lion with her Toothless plush that currently wears a handmade yarn harness. Dragons are very well-loved in this house and it was a delight to find this picture book! (In fact Little Lion will be receiving the new How to Train Your Dragon graphic novels for our New Year’s Day raffle tomorrow.)
Back to the humans….Hiccup is adorable, just as he is in the chapter book series. He’s a tentative and imperfect hero, but he always rises to the occasion. Same with this picture book. I mean, who ever heard of a Viking who gets seasick?
It’s a brilliant idea for a picture book about beloved characters and teaches a lesson without hitting us over the head too much. In short, I loved it. And you’ll enjoy reading it (over and over again) with your own dragon lover.
By the way, they are in the process of making the third film with Dreamworks and I can’t wait to see it! They also have these amazing Playmobil toy sets but I was vetoed when I brought it up as a gift for Little Lion since she doesn’t play with those as much anymore. We have many Lego dragons in its stead. But I admit I’m still tempted to buy this one as the Toothless looks amazing.
Tell Dr. Bookworm!
Is there a series that has a special place in your heart? (Clearly there are many in the Bookworm house.) Do you still buy ‘toys’ even though you are ‘too old’ for them? If our house wasn’t such a mess, I’d be more tempted to get the Playmobil set. Still.
