You Wouldn't Want to Be a Viking Explorer!: Voyages You'd Rather Not Make

You Wouldn't Want to Be ...

by Andrew Langley, David Salariya, David Antram (Illustrator)

Think again! This delightful series brings something unusual to the study of history: humor. You Wouldn't Want to... revels in the darker side of life in ancient times.

The reader is on center stage as he or she gets a tour through life as a slave, warrior, explorer -- even a mummy! Hilarious illustrations, captions, and sidebars leave no doubt that you simply wouldn't want to be there.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Picture Books, Historical, Geography, Middle Grade

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are dozens of these books titled YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO ... that are quite informative for young readers. I preferred reading these aloud to 8- to 9-year olds, but most middle-school students could read these independently. The kiddos love the facts included with these books!

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books, you learn so much and the illustrations are hilarious. The vikings colonized Iceland (green and fruitful land). Later, Erik the Red reached Greenland (very cold) to set up a new colony. And in the 10th century, Leif Ericsson was the first viking to venture to North America in unknown waters. I'm glad that they made a note that the Vikings reached Russia and the Mediterranean aside from Iceland, Greenland and North America. They did a real number to the French and the Spanish.
The Viking played hnefatafl (pronounced nefatal) which is sort of like Chess; I want to learn this game. They also called the Native Americans by the name of Skralings (screaming barbarians) and they were constantly at war with them.
Viking warriors would put on a berserk (bearskin shirt) to be more agile. And they used woman's hair for their bowstring. Recommend this whole series.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really pleasantly surprised by this book! I learned about this You Wouldn't Want to series today (thank you, Chandra), so I eagerly ran to the library to examine some titles in this series. When I pulled this book off the shelf, I became a little uncertain, because there are a lot of words here, and I'm never sure if my niece, and especially my four year old nephew, will stay tuned into books with lots of words. The pictures in this book, though, were wonderful. They were bright, action-packed, and funny, and they just seemed completely dialed in to what kids like. Still, I checked the book out, fully expecting that we'd not get through it, despite the illustrations.

To my surprise and delight, the kids hung on to every word of this book from beginning to end! They are of Scandinavian descent, and they know this, so I think that this book in particular struck a chord with them. They learned a lot about Vikings, and they were rolling some of those Scandinavian names and words off of their tongues like they were speaking their native language. The Viking on the cover caught my nephew's eye immediately, which I found entertaining, because that Viking strongly resembles my nephew when he sword fights with his uncle, even down to the Viking's exclamation! We all had a great time comparing and contrasting the boy and this character! :-)

This was a very nicely done book--it held the kids' attention, and it educated and entertained all of us. What a great way to expose kids to history! We'll be getting some more of these, and my niece has already requested You Wouldn't Want to Be a Roman Gladiator, which she saw in her school library!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series does a good job of giving kids a real glimpse of history. The Handy Hints and dialog bubbles are my kids' favorites. Although we have read some gruesome and violent stuff in this series of books this installment was pretty mild. It focuses on an expedition to North America rather than battles or pillaging. It isn't lacking in the gross factor that kids like (use the fat from sheep to keep your shoes waterproof) it just isn't as icky as it could be with Vikings being the subject matter.

[Duane · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone wanting to know general information about the life and times of Vikings, this book should make them happy. As with the rest of the series, it has great illustrations in it. It doesn't focus so much on the sea-going aspect, but more of the colonization that Vikings did. A nice read but not meant as a resource.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

My boys are crazy about Vikings and so we have been reading a lot of books set in Viking times. This book is informative and gives you good insight into what it would be like to live as a Viking Explorer. I think at times my kiddos got a smidge bored with some of the pages and found other pages like burial of a Viking leader totally fascinating. There favorite thing on every page was the Handy Hints. Those really cracked them.

[Ktmholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short (35 pg) book describes Viking life in a humorous, well-illustrated, easy-to-read format. It includes a glossary, map, famous explorers, and helpful hints, such as not to live near your town’s leather tannery—“the stink is disgusting!” Other books in the series cover Egyptian mummies, pirates’ prisoners, Aztec sacrifice, wild west towns, and medieval dungeons…enough to engage even the most reluctant reader. Ideal for school children, yet still interesting for adults.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're a big fan of this series. There is a lot of good information presented in a fun format with bright, colorful illustrations.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, with comical illustrations and fascinating facts.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viking's are fascinating but I definitely wouldn't want to be one.

[The Library Mouse Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book. It has loads of facts about how Vikings lived and what happened when they died.

The pictures make it more fun and I liked the facts in the Handy Hint boxes. Did you know that Vikings buried meat in snow and ice so it would freeze and not go off?

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story about Vikings in the You Wouldn't Want To... series. I like that they tackle serious historical events and show the not-so-nice side of human behavior, but in a somewhat humorous and tongue-in-cheek way. The book puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like.

Life for a Viking Explorer certainly wasn't easy. The voyages across the sea and establishing a settlement on Vinland were all dangerous and difficult. I am excited that I have an opportunity to visit Sweden for the first time in a couple of days and I hope to learn more about the history of the area and the people who live there.

There are a lot of facts, but the text is arranged so that there are plenty of pictures to look at and it's not overwhelming. We really enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more of the books in this series at our local library.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read wherein (young) readers learn how it would've been like and what they would have done if they'd been a viking/lived in that time. Seasoned with a great sense of humour and topped with a series of clever tricks!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title of the “You wouldn’t want to…” series is a revised edition. The only differences between the earlier edition are the addition of a timeline and a map of the Viking world in the opening pages and “Top Viking Explorers”, “What happened to the Vikings?”, “Did you know?” and “Travel Problems” pages at the end of the book. Otherwise, the same zany explorers and sailors relate the perils of the arduous journey on the long ship as they try to reach North America. The text is entertaining, informative and humorous. The sidebars are always good for a laugh and the gore and violence are kept to a minimum. Readers will learn some history in spite of themselves. It's a good choice for reluctant readers or special populations. Back matter includes a glossary and an index. Purchase if needed.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the You Wouldn't Want To series, this book focuses on the time of vikings and provides information about viking ships and expeditions, colonization. It is filled with humor from the illustrations to captions or sidebars. The book is written from the position that you are a viking and goes into detail on why you wouldn't want to be in that situation. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a resource for an assignment on vikings, it provides a great overview for a child with a new interest in vikings.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how they made their houses on vinland, because they made a big wooden frame and then dig up grass with the dirt stuck to it. Then they set it on top of the wooden frame, it is cool... it is like they are making a house in the ground.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/12. rating 4

[Bruce Nordstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book with an off beat look at history. Love the pictures.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never realized how far the Vikings traveled in terms of exploring. History should probably give them more credit in terms of their discoveries and their effect on native people.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I know to much about the Vikings but this book didn't seem as good as others in the series.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with the title.