Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki

Odin, the King (or Allfather) of the Norse gods, Thor, his son, god of thunder, law and order, and Loki, the trickster god, live in Asgard: the kingdom of the gods above Midgard, which is home to humans. Under Midgard lies Niflheim, the world of the dead, ruled over by Hel, goddess of the underworld.

These stories chart the beginning and end of the Norse saga originally written by Snorri Sturluson, with wonderful adventures, arguments, challenges, fights and much wisdom about human nature inbetween. As the book contains 20 individual stories, as well as a guide to the gods, goddesses, giants and dwarfs included in the tales (as well as a fabulous illustration of the Norse World, with Yggdrasill, the World Tree, linking the worlds, with the giant serpent Jormungand circling Midgard), this is an ideal book to share at bedtime or storytime, or to read very gradually.

If your children loved the recent Marvel movies featuring Thor but haven’t heard the original Norse legends before, this compendium of new retellings by Kevin Crossley-Holland would be an excellent place to start. Jeffrey Alan Love’s lavish, atmospheric illustration is absolutely stunning and captures the darkness and magic of many of these stories, while remaining modern and full of impact. Fantastic.