Review: The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen with illustrations by James Foley

Review: The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen with illustrations by James Foley

Let the pillaging begin! CBC Picture Book of the Year winner, Norman Jorgensen, teams up with illustrator James Foley on this fun picture book about a boy who outwits local bullies by channelling his inner Viking.

James and Norman run a blog for teachers, students and aspiring authors. It follows the real-time trials, tribulations and joys of creating a picture book and is called Knut The Last Viking.

How cute!

After my first for-ray into reviewing picture books last month, I felt slightly more confident diving into this book.

And what a treat it was! So cute!

I loved the illustrations and the text. Both.

The story itself was so cute. I love the way the text and the pictures captured that magical time in a child's life. I could see the fear and earning to explore in Josh's pictures, and it came across beautifully in the text.

Josh isn't afraid of anything (well, except for pirates, boy-eating dinosaurs, dragons and vampires...). He's sent off to spent the night with his grandparents, something he doesn't particularly want to do.

Alas, he goes with his dog (Wolverine! Cute!) and is introduced to the world of Vikings by his grandfather.

The book showed a spread from the book his grandfather gave him, on the history of Vikings. It was really interesting to read about them and I'm super-glad that information was included.

After Josh reads that information, he sets about making himself a Viking outfit. He's then told by his grandmother to take his 'wheelie board thing' to the park, which he does - but not before bumping into some bullies.

Words weren't needed - pictures told the whole story.

Meanwhile, the book cuts to the Norse Gods - ecstatic that someone still believes in them!

I think in an adult book I would not have liked this little inclusion but in a picture book it was just perfect.

Then Josh - who has since chosen the Viking name Knut - goes about building a Viking ship (longship).

I really loved the illustrations at this point - the roses in the background, the crows (who talk to the Norse Gods too), the fact Josh is still covered in dirt from being pushed in the mud.

The book truly captured the imagination of children.

The very end was also a real treat: translation of the Runes into English alphabet letters. On the pages with the Norse Gods, the Runes framed the page, so it was fun to go back and work out what was written!

I think this book is coming at a good time, viewers who saw How To Train Your Dragon will no doubt love this. As will anyone who loves a good picture book!

For more information,
Fremantle Press