SuitabookTwo Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker
Francesca Simon
- Reading
- Read a section aloud first if the humour is unfamiliar, then let the child continue independently if the short episodes suit them. Pause to explain unfamiliar Viking terms or historical details without interrupting the comic momentum.
- Themes
- Mischief and identity: Hack and Whack are described as the worst Viking children in their village and enjoy creating trouble. The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
- Co-operation against a threat: The siblings join friends and a dog in trying to deal with Grunt, the fierce new neighbour. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Playful history: Everyday activities such as going to market and attending a new Viking school are presented as adventures in a historical setting. The setting introduces historical ideas through comic fiction rather than presenting a detailed historical account.
- Worth knowing
- Some families may want to notice the prominence of toilet humour, insults, unpleasant smells, raiding language and cartoonish confrontation.