How to Train Your Dragon: 1 - Hardcover

Cowell, Cressida

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316737372 ISBN 13: 9780316737371

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2004

Synopsis

Read the New York Times bestselling book that inspired the hit movies!

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans, tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan by catching and training a dragon. Can Hiccup do it without being torn limb from limb?

Join his adventures and misadventures as he finds a new way to train dragons--and becomes a hero. This action-packed, hilarious, and perfectly illustrated novel is a modern classic beloved by millions across the globe.

About this title

Review:

Praise for How to Train Your Dragon:
"Short chapters, clever slapstick, kid-pleasing character names and goofy, childlike drawings will keep even reluctant readers turning these pages--and chuckling as they go."--Publishers Weekly

"A narrative rich in dragon muck... genuinely fierce [and] intelligent."--Kirkus

..".This is a goofy and exciting tale of an underdog who proves that brains can be just as important as brawn. Kids will hoot at the ridiculous names and sympathize with Hiccup's exasperation with his truly obstinate but strangely lovable dragon. A delightful read."--School Library Journal

"This hilarious farce will appeal to heroic fiction fans."--Booklist

From the Publisher:

* A Viking Molesworth in the form of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.
* A very funny adventure story as Hiccup finds a dragon, trains it and, with its help, manages to subdue two enormous monstrous Sea Dragons. In doing so, he also conquers his bullies, gains the respect of his family and schoolmates and shows his tribe that there can sometimes be more than one way of doing something...
* Written as though by Hiccup, with an author's preface and notes throughout the text, interspersed with his own sketches (black and white line illustrations by Cressida Cowell) as Hiccup builds up more helpful reference material for future Viking heroes (the only existing guide to training dragons has three words of text: Shout At It). A similar playfulness and intertextuality as The Stinky Cheese Man.
* Perfect for boys, with lots of humour, dragons, bloodshed, gob and battles.
* Following in the footsteps of Lauren Child with her Clarice books, developing picture book character with real potential to take on a life of his own and bring him to a wider, broader audience, by an author who can work brilliantly on a variety of levels.

Key Reviews:

A classic. - The Viking Herald

How to Train Your Dragon is a must read for every Hero who is having a little trouble being as Heroic as he would like to be. - The Barbarian Librarian

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0316737372
• ISBN 13: 9780316737371
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 214