Deadly Irish History: The Vikings
Both written and illustrated by John Farrelly, The Vikings is the fantastic first book in a new series, Deadly Irish History, with great potential. Ireland has such rich history and books like these are a great way of introducing children to it.
The book, Farrelly’s first, has been very well researched. It is jam-packed with fascinating facts and stories about who the Vikings were, their way of life and their myths and legends. The author’s sense of humour is used in abundance throughout the book, with jokes that appeal to both younger and older readers. The illustrations are clever and funny, and feel like they drew some inspiration from the Asterix comics. Comic strips and fake newspapers add to the entertainment factor. The book also involves much more than just information – there are quizzes, puzzles and true-or-false questionnaires. One of the highlights is a crafting section where you can learn how to dress like a Viking and make brooches, helmets and shields. Although it might be a cliché, The Vikings is the kind of book that makes history fun, and teachers would be wise to invest in a copy.
