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The Littlest Viking
A hilarious story about what happens to the littlest and loudest Viking when an even littler and louder Viking arrives, perfect for fans of The Princess and the Pony and I Don't Want to Be a Frog.
Sven might be the littlest Viking, but he has no trouble making himself known. He has the loudest warrior cry and the fiercest set of teeth. He loves to pillage and plunder. But there's a new kid in town--a warrior princess, who is smaller than Sven and even louder. What's a little Viking to do?
"Penfold folds in fun ancient analogues to tried-and-true methods of appeasing cranky little ones, and Roxas's liberal use of a color perhaps best described as neon snot brings a punk edge to her scenes of Viking family life. Irreverent yet tender."--Publishers Weekly, Starred review
"A warm tale of family togetherness."--Kirkus
"A spirited tale about stopping a tantrum with a story, perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing."--SLJ
Sven might be the littlest Viking, but he has no trouble making himself known. He has the loudest warrior cry and the fiercest set of teeth. He loves to pillage and plunder. But there's a new kid in town--a warrior princess, who is smaller than Sven and even louder. What's a little Viking to do?
"Penfold folds in fun ancient analogues to tried-and-true methods of appeasing cranky little ones, and Roxas's liberal use of a color perhaps best described as neon snot brings a punk edge to her scenes of Viking family life. Irreverent yet tender."--Publishers Weekly, Starred review
"A warm tale of family togetherness."--Kirkus
"A spirited tale about stopping a tantrum with a story, perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing."--SLJ
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 10, 2018
The Littlest Viking was written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Isabel Roxas. It shares what happens when the littlest Viking is no longer the smallest. In this tale, we meet Sven who sort of rules the roost as the youngest Viking. That is until a fair maiden arrives and soon everyone is paying attention to her. Only the newest addition to their clan is quite loud and nothing the other Vikings try seems to work. Until Sven steps up and shares stories with her. This was a cute story and perfect for little ones expecting a new sibling. The colorful illustrations of dragons, warriors and such will make any young boy squeal with delight. While the story is a familiar one, the Viking setting made it unique. I quite liked this and found it both familiar and refreshing. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
November 20, 2018
A book about getting a new sibling, except the family are Vikings. It's cute, but I found the coloring a little pukey. I hate the chartreuse-y green chosen. It overwhelms my eyes.
October 17, 2019
Sven may be the littlest Viking, but he tells REALLY BIG TALES. It turns out that when an even littler Viking shows up in the form of Sven's baby sister, his magical tales are the only thing that can soothe this savage little savage. I liked the story, AND the artwork, despite the over-use of the color lime green.
October 3, 2021
When I read this book to my granddaughter I asked her if she does a lot of pillaging, and she answered no. She was pretty sure shiny plunder would not always quiet a baby. I cannot believe she had ever heard the words "pillage" and "plunder" before, but now she has, and this will help her build her web of understanding. I like picture books which are unafraid to use words not often encountered.
She and the Littlest Viking have something in common this week, and she found this fact to be very special as she awaits a new family member. Her younger brother did not really understand the book quite yet, but liked the end papers and the illustrations, where he was able to point out boats and the sun and other items recognizable even to a little tot like himself.
I wish there were more picture books about Scandinavia and Vikings.
She and the Littlest Viking have something in common this week, and she found this fact to be very special as she awaits a new family member. Her younger brother did not really understand the book quite yet, but liked the end papers and the illustrations, where he was able to point out boats and the sun and other items recognizable even to a little tot like himself.
I wish there were more picture books about Scandinavia and Vikings.
January 24, 2022
This is a sweet story about a very small Viking who learns to tame his very wild, loud little sister.
March 4, 2018
Sven was the littlest Viking and also the loudest. He could pillage food from anyone and had the fiercest bite too. But one thing could distract Sven: stories! Eventually he learned to tell great stories too and all of the Vikings loved to stop and listen to them. Then one day, everyone was distracted by something. It was a new little Viking, a warrior princess who was very loud and very sad. No one could get her to stop crying, but Sven had an idea! This picture book is full of humor and parallels modern parenting with the equivalent in Vikings like taking a crying baby on a great ship ride to calm down, rather than in a car. The illustrations are equally funny with very grumpy tiny children insisting on their own way and finding storytelling just the ticket out of the grumps. It is also appreciated that Sven enjoys his new role as big brother too. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
June 27, 2018
Sven is the littlest Viking who learns how to tell tales that everyone loves to stop and listen to. One day everyone is busy waiting for the arrival of someone special and they don't have time to listen to Sven's tales. The special person is a baby warrior princess who cried a lot and can't be comforted by all the Viking tricks like a ride in a Viking Ship or music from a sklad. The only thing that calms this Viking warrior princess down is Sven's storytelling. Sven no longer holds the title of littlest Viking, but that doesn't matter because he now has an awesome warrior princess to play with. A sweet book about getting a new sibling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2018
For once, this book portrayed a positive picture of "new baby in the house, what's an older sibling to do." There is not one take-her-away-i-hate-her-I'm-jealous-oh-wait-i-actually-do-like-her-now-nevermind reference in sight. It was refreshing. The older brother just jumped right in and the two siblings bonded.
The art was fairly good--I could appreciate it.
The art was fairly good--I could appreciate it.
September 8, 2018
Do not read to your daughters!
I am a bit confused with the concept of this children’s book by Alexandra Penfold. It started out really well but goes downhill soon.
Typically, male Vikings are tall, bearded people who draw their sword at every opportunity, if they don’t row across oceans. But, Penfold’s Sven is little, in fact, he is the littlest of all Vikings with the loudest cry and the fiercest set of teeth. Sven likes storytelling and he learns to tell stories really well.
“... When Sven told a story, all of the other Vikings stopped to listen...”
At this point I thought, we were going to see a very cool story here.
Everybody loves Sven’s storytelling until suddenly preparation have to be made for the arrival of a warrior princess. The warrior princess is also little and loud, and – sad. And, in my opinions, she is a brat.
“... the skald’s song only made her cry louder...”
You can probably guess that little Sven’s storytelling skills come handy in bringing this book to a good ending but what’s the moral here?
Sven is little and he works on developing outstanding skills that will benefit his tribe somehow.
I really don’t get it. Why does “the female” in this book come off as a brat who does nothing but being annoyed until “one male” finds out how to “calm her down”?
Ghee, I thought we’d be over these stories full of “ancient stereotyping.” What are we teaching here? That girls sit around, dissatisfied, whining and crying, whereas males ‘go out and learn something”?
Really? This book’s was published in 2018.
Great artwork by Isabel Roxas, though.
3 stars (mostly for the artwork)
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
I am a bit confused with the concept of this children’s book by Alexandra Penfold. It started out really well but goes downhill soon.
Typically, male Vikings are tall, bearded people who draw their sword at every opportunity, if they don’t row across oceans. But, Penfold’s Sven is little, in fact, he is the littlest of all Vikings with the loudest cry and the fiercest set of teeth. Sven likes storytelling and he learns to tell stories really well.
“... When Sven told a story, all of the other Vikings stopped to listen...”
At this point I thought, we were going to see a very cool story here.
Everybody loves Sven’s storytelling until suddenly preparation have to be made for the arrival of a warrior princess. The warrior princess is also little and loud, and – sad. And, in my opinions, she is a brat.
“... the skald’s song only made her cry louder...”
You can probably guess that little Sven’s storytelling skills come handy in bringing this book to a good ending but what’s the moral here?
Sven is little and he works on developing outstanding skills that will benefit his tribe somehow.
I really don’t get it. Why does “the female” in this book come off as a brat who does nothing but being annoyed until “one male” finds out how to “calm her down”?
Ghee, I thought we’d be over these stories full of “ancient stereotyping.” What are we teaching here? That girls sit around, dissatisfied, whining and crying, whereas males ‘go out and learn something”?
Really? This book’s was published in 2018.
Great artwork by Isabel Roxas, though.
3 stars (mostly for the artwork)
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
June 7, 2018
I immediately recognized the artwork on the cover of this book. It was Isabel Roxas, the same woman who’d illustrated Let Me Finish!, a children’s book I had enjoyed immensely for its visual puns and chuckle-worthy theme. So I decided to give this a try.
This story takes place among the Vikings and shows a people who bend to the whims of Sven, a little boy whose appetites and voice can’t be withstood by even the fiercest warrior. But Sven must learn how to accommodate others when his little sister arrives on the scene. (My only peeve is that the little girl doesn’t get a name. But this is Sven’s story and perhaps that’s to be expected.)
Sven loves hearing tales of bravery and finds that it’s even more fun to share them. So the book cleverly inverts itself and becomes a pictorial story within a story. There are Valkyries, Odin on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir and a glimpse of Thor’s goat-pulled chariot.
The simple pictures show us some of what we’ve come to learn about Vikings: their ships, patterned clothing, weapons, spoils and lifestyles. Even the cries of Sven and his sister are written in angular script that mimics Viking writing. All of this is rendered in cool colors and dull tones, except for the bright red of Sven’s little sister’s clothing.
Ms. Roxas once again displays her penchant for hidden visual clues. In the front endpapers, we see Sven alone, playing with his dog. In the back endpapers, the two are joined by Sven’s little sister. This individual quirk is one of the reasons I am quick to pick up any book with Ms. Roxas’s name on the cover.
This story takes place among the Vikings and shows a people who bend to the whims of Sven, a little boy whose appetites and voice can’t be withstood by even the fiercest warrior. But Sven must learn how to accommodate others when his little sister arrives on the scene. (My only peeve is that the little girl doesn’t get a name. But this is Sven’s story and perhaps that’s to be expected.)
Sven loves hearing tales of bravery and finds that it’s even more fun to share them. So the book cleverly inverts itself and becomes a pictorial story within a story. There are Valkyries, Odin on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir and a glimpse of Thor’s goat-pulled chariot.
The simple pictures show us some of what we’ve come to learn about Vikings: their ships, patterned clothing, weapons, spoils and lifestyles. Even the cries of Sven and his sister are written in angular script that mimics Viking writing. All of this is rendered in cool colors and dull tones, except for the bright red of Sven’s little sister’s clothing.
Ms. Roxas once again displays her penchant for hidden visual clues. In the front endpapers, we see Sven alone, playing with his dog. In the back endpapers, the two are joined by Sven’s little sister. This individual quirk is one of the reasons I am quick to pick up any book with Ms. Roxas’s name on the cover.
May 2, 2018
The littlest Viking, Sven, has the loudest cry, a fierce set of teeth, and an appetite that causes him to pillage food off his dad's plate. When he's not making noise, biting or eating, he spends hours listening to Viking stories. He even learns to share them, and when he does other Vikings stop to listen. But one day everything changes. Suddenly, no one has time for Sven or his stories. He discovers he is no longer the littlest; there is now a baby warrior princess! She is loud, sad, and not easily distracted from crying. When no one can stop the crying, Sven begins telling a story. It works! He is no longer the littlest Viking, but will he care?
Cons: None
Pros: This is not a new story about siblings, but a Viking family will make it more fun, especially for boys. Little Miss, Big Sis is very much the same type of book except the older sibling is a girl and it is a modern-day setting. Both stories in no way illustrate jealousy by the older sibling, but rather pride and love. Each would make nice gifts for the older-sibling-to be. Very nice illustrations that kids will appreciate.
Cons: None
Pros: This is not a new story about siblings, but a Viking family will make it more fun, especially for boys. Little Miss, Big Sis is very much the same type of book except the older sibling is a girl and it is a modern-day setting. Both stories in no way illustrate jealousy by the older sibling, but rather pride and love. Each would make nice gifts for the older-sibling-to be. Very nice illustrations that kids will appreciate.
June 12, 2019
It starts with the entitled baby trope. Little baby boy gets whatever he wants by being alternately cute or loud. But then, when he's old enough to be walking around and using words, a little sister comes along. What's nice is, instead of him getting jealous, he sees that the sister is fussy and he joins in the attempts to soothe her. And he's successful, because it's a kids' book. All that, plus vikings.
January 22, 2020
I love how this littlest Viking loves his new little sister. I love how he uses his special talent to help make her happy and help her go to sleep. I love books where family loves and helps family!
Talking Points: How do your siblings help you? How do you help them? How do your parents help you? How do you help them? What special talents do you have.
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse 2 drops Marjoram (The Oil of Community) and 2 drops Geranium (The Oil of Love and Trust).
Talking Points: How do your siblings help you? How do you help them? How do your parents help you? How do you help them? What special talents do you have.
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse 2 drops Marjoram (The Oil of Community) and 2 drops Geranium (The Oil of Love and Trust).
January 5, 2018
Really cute story for families, especially if you're expecting a little one. The littlest viking seems to have it all, until some smaller than him comes along. Now, she's the loudest & the little viking starts to tell her stories to calm her down. Such a cute story with great illustrations! Can't wait for my patrons to check it out!
February 5, 2018
This was a cute book. I liked the drawings, especially the kids hair. That was fun. For the most part it is not a wordy book great for a storytime. The reader can also have a teaching moment with the children, and discuss who vikings were. There are all kinds crafts that could go along with this story too. I had fun with this.
July 13, 2018
This is a delightful, positive adventure about what happens when the only child becomes the older sibling. Whimsical art helps readers understand Sven's feelings as the adults are preparing for something new. And this is no sweet wrapped in pink little dear. This one is a warrior princess who needs an older sibling to spark her imagination and help her manage the world. What a team they are!
July 20, 2018
A wee viking named Sven! Pillaging! Plundering! THE LITTLEST VIKING doesn't take itself too seriously and is a fun twist on the "meet your new sibling!" trope. I especially loved Penfold's use of plucky vocabulary and the color palette/whimsy of Isabel Roxas' illustrations. A fun read for the most verbose of storytellers.
September 24, 2018
The Littlest Viking tells the story of a Viking named Sven. He is the littlest Viking. Even though he is the smallest he maybe the most ruthless of all the Vikings. However, that comes to an end one day when Sven meets a warrior princess. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The Norse mythology backdrop made for a nice setting and the illustrations were great.
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January 6, 2018This is a cute story about how an older brother (and parents) are first not up for the waaaah-ing of the younger sister, but then the older brother fixes things with his tales. I like the colored pencils illustrations. I think it helps make the story look young. Possible for WBA.
September 8, 2018
This story about a Viking child who is loud, and fierce, and pillages. Then turns around when a new child comes into the family. He becomes the best solution for his sister. Muted colors. Discover what Sven does that makes him a big help to the family. Similar to the Scheherazade story.
September 22, 2018
A fantastic sibling book. I love everything about this book. It presents new sibling in a positive way and shows how the older sibling can help and form a friendship with the younger. Great for sibling Storytime.
August 11, 2022
Short, simple, and sweet. Illustrations are alright, but I wasn't a fan of the color palette. Just not my vibe. I did however enjoy the story. It had a nice ending and I liked how the littlest Viking bonded with the warrior princess and how it didn't matter that he wasn't the littlest anymore.
February 2, 2025
Aww, this was great. Sven is the littlest Viking, until one day a younger Viking sister is born. Nothing her parents do soothes her, but in comes big brother to save the day. I enjoyed the illustrations and the story a lot.
July 3, 2017
Cute story. Would make a good read-aloud.
January 14, 2018
Soooo cute for big brothers!
January 21, 2018
Cute and simple. Was hoping for a bit more from the story, but it makes its point well enough. Is a great book for children whose parents have another child!
January 30, 2018
Not what I thought it would be about, but still cute.
February 2, 2018
Funny, hip little story with cool, retro illustrations.
February 7, 2018
I liked the positive attitude of the boy to his new sister.
February 9, 2018
The main thing I like about this story is how the brother creates a role of power for his sister, that she's his equal in adventure throughout. Very nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews