Customer Reviews

Hiccup The Seasick Viking

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Hiccup The Seasick Viking"
Written and Illustrated by Cressida Cowell
(Orchard Books, 2000)
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The original story of Hiccup, the misfit Viking, now the star of a big hit movie, "How To Train Your Dragon." You'da thunk they would have reissued this picturebook to coincide with the other Train Your Dragon merchandising, but alas, it remains an obscurity, although it is a wonderful little story about finding one's way in a culture awash in machismo. Here, Hiccup is a timid lad, afraid of a lot of little things, but terrified about going to sea. His father, Stoick, is largely the same as in the film, although there are other secondary characters who are different. Anyway, the boy does go to sea with the menfolk and when the sea gets *really* rough, it turns out that the big, tough, macho men get seasick, too, and little Hiccup has to take over and steer their ship for them. If you liked the movie or the revamped chapterbook series that inspired it, this early version, although slightly different, still has a lot to offer. It's cute, and better suited for younger readers. (Joe Six, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

If this was the starting point for the "How to Train your Dragon Books," then I must say this is a much more interesting story than those. Of course, this is a little children's picture book, but it is fun and wholesome and not gross.

The illustrations are just excellent, the Viking Song is hilarious and fun to sing, and the philosophy of the book comes through loud and clear: Try new things. Some things you'll be good at. You may be surprised. As you get good at things, they become more enjoyable.

Positive message, no underpants humor, fits with our other viking-themed books we have going on this month.

We started collecting the Hiccup chapter books last year for my 8 yr old who just loves the stories. Then I found this book when I went looking for new ones. I don't think it got published here, but I understand it was the book that started it all. Now his younger brother has a book he can read too! Fun story about a little boy who faces his fears. Yes, it's a common theme, but this is for little kids and it is a better story because of this author and the the little viking.

Incidentally, all the Hiccup stories are very funny and the boys love them. And they are not as off-color as Captian Underpants and Wimpy Kid series -- which get a bit carried away for my taste. True heroism, funny dragons, and grand adventures in every book. We have even listened to a few as books on CD and enjoyed them on long car trips. I highly recommend all the Hiccup stories and their author!

A great book for children and has a good moral to it. The beginning of How To Train Your Dragon.

Cressida Cowell has written a very caring story to show that even adults get frightened and that is ok. It appears to be a wonderful story to share with children when they are frightened about something new in their lives. Well worth reading.