The first in the successful series... perfect for tricky boy readers, as the action scenes are first-class. * The Sunday Telegraph *
Mentioned in the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *
If you haven't discovered Hiccup yet, you're missing out on one of the greatest inventions of modern children's literature -- Julia Eccleshare, Guardian's children's books editor
Filled with thrilling adventure and action-packed heroes -- Charlotte Tarling, Year 6 * Country Child *
By turns hilarious and wise, it's never predictable, brilliantly illustrated and always delightful * The Times *
Proper modern classics * Sunday Express *
Hilarious * guardian.co.uk *
A laugh out loud romp of a Viking adventure * Observer *
The start of the most original series for kids in ages. Funny, clever and great for the whole family to share * Dundee Courier *
Her genuinely fierce, intelligent and scary dragons nearly steal the show, but Hiccup and his diminutive sidekick ultimately come out on top, both displaying a proper hero's mix of quick wit, courage and loyalty * Kirkus *
One of the most enjoyable and original children's stories I have heard in a long time * The Independent *
I can't praise this wonderful adventure too highly -- Amanda Craig * Independent on Sunday *
Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, it is absolutely wonderful * Independent on Sunday *
This light-hearted, well-illustrated mock saga would appeal to girls and boys. My Dad liked it too. More please. -- Geoffrey Truscott, aged 11 * The Glasgow Herald *
What we have here is Harry Potter meets Blackadder. The result is a story that anyone with a tolerance of snot and gore would find richly entertaining * The Glasgow Herald *
Cowell's wittily written books have become today's childhood must-read stories * Books Quarterly (Waterstones) *
This book will definitely make you laugh out loud * Torquay Herald Express *
Gripping adventure stories complete with quests and battles, a vivdly imagined alternative world * The Daily Telegraph *
Top stuff * The Daily Telegraph *
Cressida Cowell's series of the memoirs of Hiccup the Viking are funny, outrageous and will lure in the most reluctant reader * The Spectator *
Funny, thrilling and ideal for children needing to discover the hero inside themselves * The Times *
Wise, colourful and funny * Dorset Echo *
Cowell is a master of storytelling...On a profound level, this series celebrates divergence and being true to oneself, teaching children that they don't have to be carbon copies of their parents * Hay Festival of the Arts *
Cressida Cowell's
How to Train Your Dragon books fill every spread with scales and fangs and typographical jeux d'esprit * The Independent *
Descriptive and flowing, Cowell's Dragon novels have become deserved hits at the cinema, too. * Time Out *
Has a good story to it -- Jamie, aged 9 * Daily Record *
Full of bright wit and brutal honesty, this is a brilliant book that launched a huge series ... This is a fantastic adventure that explores failure as well as success and weighs the cost of being different against the price of fitting in with sneaky maturity and shining humour * The List *
'... full of charm ... imaginative and bursting with inventive, off-the-wall humour, making them great stories to be read aloud.' * Waterstones Books Quarterly *
'... inspired series ... its enchantment lies primarily in the comical, affectionate and often irritable relationship between Hiccup (the only nerd in the violent Viking Hooligan tribe) and his runty little dragon Toothless.' * Amanda Craig, The Times *
PRAISE FOR HICCUP:
'Fiercely exciting and laugh-aloud funny, it is as full of joy for children of 7+ who have given up reading as for those who love it.'
* Amanda Craig, The Times *
Irresistably funny, exciting and endearing * Amanda Craig, The Times *
CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK: This book is great fun and has a Blackadderish sense of humour ... full of the sort of jokes that will make schoolboys snigger. * Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times *
How to Train Your Dragon is a delightful narrative caper... It offers a challenging read to 11-year-olds, and rewards reading aloud, especially for those who relish an element of theatre at story time. * Sunday Herald, Glasgow *
... raucous and slapstick ... liberally illustrated with [Cressida Cowell's] riotous drawings, notes and maps. * The Financial Times *
[Cressida Cowell] puts a contemporary spin on the old brains over brawn moral and brings the story to a climax with a thrilling dragon duel. Lots for lots of different readers to enjoy. * Books for Keeps *
'a hilarious and gripping adventure, beautifully paced and studded with great dramatic scenes.' * Amanda Craig, Times *
Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, it is absolutely wonderful. * Independent on Sunday *
'Cowell writes laugh-out-loud books with plenty of boy appeal Cowells anarchic drawings suit the slapstick humour.'
* The Herald *
Hilarious and charming. * Observer *
