Books about Vikings
The Vikings are fascinating, with their many raids on other lands, their thirst for exploration and the various Norse gods that were so important to them. This selection of books shows what Viking life was like, with all the action and humour you might expect. It includes fiction and non-fiction and is suitable for primary-aged children.
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Defenders: Killing Ground
Author: Tom Palmer
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Seth has a special ability: to see things from the past. He's at a football match when flickering flames and a screaming, wild-haired man appear on the pitch. A storm hits from nowhere and the crowd panics. No-one's hurt, but more odd things happen over the following days and Seth learns he's seeing a 1000-year-old, brutal Viking massacre. Except the past is…
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What it was like to be a Viking
Author: David Long Illustrator: Stefano Tambellini
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This informative non-fiction book explores different aspects of Viking life, including housing, religion, travel and trade. With short chapters, illustrations and diagrams, it is ideal for dyslexic and reluctant readers.
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Time Travel Twins: The Viking Attack
Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Twins Scarlett and Thomas have a grandad with a time machine! When Thomas is struggling with his homework on Vikings, Grandad suggests he meets some. So Thomas whooshes back to the year 859AD, but without the crucial device to bring him home. Now Scarlett will have to go after him!
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Leif the Unlucky Viking: Saga of the Shooting Star
Author: Gary Northfield
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Leif, a hapless Viking wolf pup, embarks on a secret mission to locate a missing shard from Thor’s hammer. This hilarious Viking adventure has oodles of laughs on every page.
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Two Terrible Vikings
Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Hack and Whack are two terrible Viking twins who love stealing, raiding islands, and being generally horrible! Early readers will love this hysterical trio of stories from the creator of Horrid Henry.
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Viking Voyagers: Discover the Story of the Vikings
Author: Jack Tite
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Engaging, clear and stylish illustration along with some glorious fold-out sections make this book a real treat to discover. A wonderful, detailed look at all aspects of Viking culture, from crafts to boats, legends, social hierarchies, food, animals and fighting methods
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Thorfinn the Nicest Viking and the Raging Raiders
Author: David MacPhail Illustrator: Richard Morgan
Publisher: Young Kelpies
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Thorfinn is a polite, considerate Viking - unlike the rest of his family, who love raiding, pillaging and generally causing havoc. With short chapters and plenty of laughs on every page, this is ideal for confident independent readers.
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Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good
Author: Louie Stowell
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+After playing one trick too many, Loki, Norse god of mischief, is sent by Odin to live on earth as an 11-year-old boy for one month to mend his ways. Furious that he must suffer indignities such as attending school and doing chores, Loki struggles to be good.
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The Dragon’s Hoard: stories from the Viking Sagas
Author: Lari Don Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+In this collection of 11 stories about Vikings, you will encounter sailors, traders and explorers. Elemental, unadorned and compelling, these engaging retellings of the Sagas are illuminated by earth-toned illustrations.
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Viking Longship
Author: Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9Learn how the Vikings travelled from their homeland facing storms and rowing for days across the ocean.
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Viking Boy
Author: Tony Bradman
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 9+When Gunar’s father is taken by the Valykries to Valhalla, Gunar makes it his mission to bring his father back – but unfortunately, he is no fighter.
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How to Train Your Dragon
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was an incredible sword-fighter, dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking hero who ever lived.
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Odd and the Frost Giants
Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7+Odd, a crippled orphan in a Viking village, isn't of much interest to his clan. When he leaves for adventure, he finds three talking animals that are actually gods - and they need his help. This is a wonderfully wintry, magical and mythical story.
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Riddle of the Runes
Author: Janina Ramirez Illustrator: David Wyatt
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Alva is a strong, fierce and exciting heroine and this is an interesting approach to the well-known story of Vikings, which puts women at the centre of the story. An enjoyable adventure.
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She Wolf
Author: Dan Smith
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+An intense and original coming-of-age adventure/thriller set in the Dark Ages, featuring murder, revenge, wolves, Vikings and Norse myths. Another stunning read from a master storyteller.
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The Sleeping Army
Author: Francesca Simon
Publisher: Profile Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods
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Brownstone’s Mythical Collection: Arthur and the Golden Rope
Author: Joe Todd-Stanton
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7-10Arthur goes to the great hall to help Thor catch the wicked Fenrir. There, he is set the almost impossible task of making a magical Golden Rope. A fantastic version of a Norse myth that falls between a picture book and a graphic novel.
