Sign in with FacebookDanielle Barclay's Reviews > Odd and the Frost Giants
Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author), Mark Buckingham
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author), Mark Buckingham
Written by Neil Gaiman for World Book Day in the UK, Odd and the Frost Giants, seems to have been penned with a real dose of magic in the quill! From the moment I began reading this whimsical story about the son of a sea-faring Viking, set in ancient Scandinavia, I experienced an instant connection with Odd, and was transported through time to a simpler world who's inhabitants place value on craft and physical strength. Odd and the Frost Giants is a coming of age story about a young boy faced with the loss of his father compounded by physical deformity--Odd demonstrates courage and a level of maturity that makes my heart swell with pride.
Gaiman weaves a new twist on classic Nordic mythology that takes Odd and his bigger-than-life animal companions, on a journey to save Asgard. I felt as if I was right there with him--trudging through the frozen wilderness, knowing his physical pain but somehow numbed by the magical world that surrounded him. I felt the warmth of the bears thick winter coat, smelled the musky scent of the enormous animal--felt the bitter wind as the eagle flew high in the sky--smiled at the mischievous behavior of the wily fox.
Packaged as a pocket sized, cloth bound Novella, Odd and the Frost Giants is perfect for the small hands of it's readers (children age 8-10). Illustrations by Brett Helquist round out the visual beauty of this literary treasure; his pen and ink sketches strongly resemble wood carvings that could have have been done by Odd's father, a woodcarver by trade.
Gaiman has a real gift for writing children's literature but he never forgets the adults that so often breath life into his words while narrating for his young audience. Gaiman created a protagonist kids can relate to and cheer for and an antagonist kids can also identify with, but find frightening. While fairy tale endings don't always happen in real life (or even in adult fiction), fear, in children's literature should be defeated. In fact, I think it's a rule! Buy Odd and the Frost Giants for your children, read it for yourself!
To learn more about World Book Day and Gaiman's inspiration for writing this Novella, visit Neil Gaiman's website.
Gaiman weaves a new twist on classic Nordic mythology that takes Odd and his bigger-than-life animal companions, on a journey to save Asgard. I felt as if I was right there with him--trudging through the frozen wilderness, knowing his physical pain but somehow numbed by the magical world that surrounded him. I felt the warmth of the bears thick winter coat, smelled the musky scent of the enormous animal--felt the bitter wind as the eagle flew high in the sky--smiled at the mischievous behavior of the wily fox.
Packaged as a pocket sized, cloth bound Novella, Odd and the Frost Giants is perfect for the small hands of it's readers (children age 8-10). Illustrations by Brett Helquist round out the visual beauty of this literary treasure; his pen and ink sketches strongly resemble wood carvings that could have have been done by Odd's father, a woodcarver by trade.
Gaiman has a real gift for writing children's literature but he never forgets the adults that so often breath life into his words while narrating for his young audience. Gaiman created a protagonist kids can relate to and cheer for and an antagonist kids can also identify with, but find frightening. While fairy tale endings don't always happen in real life (or even in adult fiction), fear, in children's literature should be defeated. In fact, I think it's a rule! Buy Odd and the Frost Giants for your children, read it for yourself!
To learn more about World Book Day and Gaiman's inspiration for writing this Novella, visit Neil Gaiman's website.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read Odd and the Frost Giants.
sign in »
