Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Adventures with Vikings
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Picture Book Series
For ages 8 to 12
Kids Can Press, 2001 ISBN: 978-1550745443
It is a very stormy afternoon and though the last place they want to be is in the Good Times Agency, Josh, Emma and Libby Binkerton find themselves being blown by the storm straight through the door of the gloomy and “downright dangerous” travel agency. Before they quite know what is happening the three children find themselves taking yet another of Mr. Pettigrew’s highly unique trips to a far away place somewhere back in time.
On this occasion the children find themselves in the middle of a field somewhere in Scandinavia. They have in fact traveled back to the time of the Vikings and they quickly learn what the lives and times of these people were like. They find that the people are kind, and willing to take the three children in though of course Josh and Emma have to do their fair share of the work. Then everything gets a lot more complicated when the Viking Family they are staying with take the children to “a Thing.” They all have a good time at this gathering event; at least they do until Josh and Libby decide to go and explore a Viking longship. Then their adventure takes a decidedly less comfortable and more hazardous direction.
This wonderfully amusing account of what it might be like to be transported back to the time of the Vikings will have many young readers wanting to read more about these fascinating people and the long voyages that they made. The story can be enjoyed on two levels as the author not only tells the story of the three children but she also offers up a spirited and often amusing description of Viking society and history.
Comic book style illustrations make this book a perfect choice for the reluctant reader.
