Boy, Tales of Childhood  •  Roald Dahl BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1991 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS With his usual gift for storytelling, Dahl recalls growing up in a Norwegian-English family, spending his mischievous boyhood scheming in a boys' boarding school, working as a chocolate tester for Cadbury's and summering in Wales and the Norwegian islands. (GBR183, $6.99)
D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths  •  Edgar D'Aulaire  •  Ingri D'Aulaire  •  Michael Chabon LITERATURE •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 160 PAGES • FAMILY A beautifully illustrated introduction to Norse legends, recently returned to print. The D'Aulaireses, who wrote and illustrated many classic children's books during their long career, vividly recreate the characters and Norse landscapes of Odin the All-father, Thor the Thunder-god, Loki, Ragnarokk, Bragi, and the Valkyries. Originally published in 1967 as Norse Gods and Giants. For ages 8 and up. (SCN35, $24.95)
East of the Sun & West of the Moon, Old Tales from the North  •  George Webbe Dasent LITERATURE •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 208 PAGES • FAMILY • COMING IN OCTOBER The Norse equivalent and counterpart to the German collection by the brothers Grimm, this anthology of 15 illustrated folk tales contains the famous title story along with "Why the Sea Is Salt" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." The original Norwegian text was published in Christiania in 1843; George Webbe Dasent's translation first appeared in England in 1858. Delightful, fanciful reading for the entire family. (SCN06, $30.00)
Finn Family Moomintroll  •  Tove Jansson LITERATURE •  1990 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) The wonderfully illustrated series, children's classics in Scandinavia, chronicles the adventures of a clan of creatures who look a lot like hippos and live in the forests of Finland. The setting and accoutrements are very Scandinavian, but the Moomins are pure universal fun. (SCN37, $6.95)
Norway, A True Book  •  Elaine Landau CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2000 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An introduction to Norway -- its geography, citizens and history -- for children ages 6 to 8. With its large color photographs, large-scale maps and accessible text, this book is an engaging primer. (NOR27, $6.95)
Odin's Family, Myths of the Vikings  •  Neil Philip  •  Maryclare Foa LITERATURE •  1996 •  HARD COVER  • 124 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) For kids wanting an introduction to Norse mythology, its major players and most famous stories, we suggest this book. The stories are clearly and excitingly told, and the full-color illustrations are ver nice. Ages 9-12. (VIK14, $19.95)
The Real Vikings: Craftsmen, Traders and Fearsome Raiders  •  Melvin Berger  •  Gilda Berger HISTORY •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 54 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) This colorful guide gives young readers a nice overview of the history of the Vikings and dispels several myths about their brutality and choice of headgear. The Bergers, no strangers to the world of children's literature, focus on the Vikings' emphasis on equality and democracy without ignoring their penchant for violence. An easy and engaging read for kids in grades 4 to 7. (SCN31, $18.95)
Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest  •  Matt Haig LITERATURE •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 304 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) More fantasy than fact, this imaginative novel about the adventures of two kids in an enchanted forest in Norway is a fun read for young travelers headed to Scandanavia. (NOR51, $16.99)
Snow Treasure  •  Marie McSwigan LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 156 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) It seems that every European country has a story about children outwitting the occupying Nazis, and this is Norway's version. It's endured for several generations: a thrilling, wintry tale set among fjords and snow-covered mountains. Ages 9-12. (NOR28, $4.99)
Viking  •  Susan M. Margeson HISTORY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A wonderfully illustrated, fact-filled history of the Vikings geared for children ages 9-12. Presenting an overview of this culture, from music to mealtime, social hierarchy, to the more violent aspects of their explorations and expansions into new territories, this fascinating look at the life of the Vikings examines their ships, weapons, and artifacts. Full-color photos. (VIK05, $15.99)
The Vikings  •  Robert Nicholson CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1990 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A volume in the colorful "Journey into Civilization" series, this slim book concentrates on the Vikings and how they lived in days gone by. With plenty of information on the Viking world, great stories and activities for kids ages eight to twelve. (VIK08, $9.95)