The Lost Diary Of Erik Bloodaxe, Viking Warrior

Lost Diaries

by Steve Barlow

Erik Bloodaxe was a vicious Viking but he loved poetry! This humorous diary gives children an insight into the life and times of the Vikings as seen by one of their warriors. Factually correct anecdotes are included.

Genres: Historical Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Steve Barlow (real name Steven Lowe) was born in Britain. He studied at Warwick University and Nottingham University, and worked at various times as a teacher, actor, stage manager and puppeteer. Then he went to teach in Botswana. On his return to the UK he met Steve Skidmore, collectively known as The Two Steves—are British collaborative writers who mostly work in the field of children's literature. They have written over 70 books together.

Reviews

[Barbi Faye (The Book Fae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to pick up this cute widdle book as well along with these others, as I am on a Viking kick, having watched four seasons of History's "Vikings", I LOVE it so much! I am a very big Lagartha fan!

This book is like a middle grade Scholastic book, complete with LOTS of illustrations, but this book has more words and facts. Written by Gorblime, the Court poet to the Viking king, Erik Bloodaxe, and he is meant to 'chronicle' his life and travels, and his diary, because Erik couldn't write...! Apparently, he even seems to author and publish a news paper, called "The Norse Of The World". In closing, this teeny tome contains lotsa pics, maps, things to learn, look at, listen to, list off, learn runes and myths & legends (my fave are the cats that draw the chariot for Freyja!!!), and off the cuff humor.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book in mind to use with my Year 3 class (aged 7-8) for our Saxons and Vikings topic.

This is a really fun book, with humour (especially with some of the background characters names, personal favourite was Yur Mustbejokinsson), and the pictures are great and the poems and newspaper articles that are scattered throughout the book really adds to the enjoyment.

The story is based on the true tale of Erik Bloodaxe and contains good factual information about the Vikings and it is presented in a humorous, child-friendly way. There is only one part which makes me slightly hesitate about using this with my class, at one point they mention cutting off someone's 'privates', it is very funny but I think that my class might find it a bit embarrassing to hear me read it out loud!! Maybe I can try to 'skim' over it and hopefully they won't notice!

A good book and one that I would recommend for children.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this book for ages. We listened to the tape in the car when I was younger, and although I didn't really absorb much of the information (being 4) I thought it was a great little book. I've since read it and fully understood it. It's a great book for kids who enjoy history and (sometimes macabre or indecent) humour.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

My class will love this book!