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Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School
Edda is a Valkyrie (an ancient Norse goddess who guides and protects heroes). She lives in a magical land called Asgard where she has everything she wants. Well . . . almost everything. Edda wants to find a friend her own age. Edda’s wise papa knows of a place where she can make friends: a place on Earth called “school.”
School is very different from Asgard. Edda’s not sure if she likes it at first. But then she remembers that Valkyries are very brave. Even little Valkyries. Edda learns that being different is what makes her special and she begins to make new friends.
A Christy Ottaviano Book
School is very different from Asgard. Edda’s not sure if she likes it at first. But then she remembers that Valkyries are very brave. Even little Valkyries. Edda learns that being different is what makes her special and she begins to make new friends.
A Christy Ottaviano Book
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2014
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 16, 2022
She came from Asgard - to go to school on Midgard! Really fun 'first day of school' book - love 'mash up' stories like this! I am a big Thor fan (Marvel) so I always look forward to books like this. Great art that is fun and engaging - sure to be a hit with little Vikings everywhere!
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April 15, 2014What an utterly charming book! I mean, a little Valkyrie attending school for the first time? That can be nerve wrecking for anybody and even little Valkyries are super brave! The art for this book just makes me want to hug it!
March 27, 2016
Adorable story of bravery and making friends, but mostly what I'm getting here is that school is the worst.
February 5, 2019
The littlest Valkyrie in Asgard, Edda enjoyed many things about her home, from the adventures chasing unruly monsters to the feasts that everyone shared together. But she also longed to know other children her own age, leading her wise father to take her down to earth, to attend something called "school." School was an adjustment, but fortunately Edda was brave...
A sweet, Norse-mythology-inspired take on one of the classic early childhood experiences - heading off to school for the first time - Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School pairs an engaging, humorous tale with appealing illustrations. I liked the fact that Edda used storytelling to connect with her new classmates, as this tallies with the larger mythological themes. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining first-day-of-school stories, or for picture-books that use Norse mythology as a starting point.
A sweet, Norse-mythology-inspired take on one of the classic early childhood experiences - heading off to school for the first time - Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School pairs an engaging, humorous tale with appealing illustrations. I liked the fact that Edda used storytelling to connect with her new classmates, as this tallies with the larger mythological themes. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining first-day-of-school stories, or for picture-books that use Norse mythology as a starting point.
February 5, 2017
A very fun picture book that works for both Norse mythology lovers and kiddos who are getting ready to go to school.
July 13, 2017
Edda is the littlest Valkyrie and loves her life of adventure in Asgard, but she also wants to make friends her own age. When she tells her father this, he lets her go to earth and go to school with other kids. She has never been away from Asgard, but her papa assures her that even little Valkyries can be very brave. School is hard at first, especially when she is trying to make new friends and learning to follow the rules, but soon Edda finds a way to make friends in class and to do well in her new school.
Edda’s story can help children starting school learn about some of the hard things about school, but that they can have an adventures and be very brave like Edda. Although school may not be portrayed as fun, the positive messages about friendship and being brave though it can be difficult remain prevalent. While Edda has some Norse mythology themes, it’s only a hint rather than an introduction to this mythology system. Still, many children will be able to relate to being scared of the first day of school but learning to be brave anyway.
Edda’s story can help children starting school learn about some of the hard things about school, but that they can have an adventures and be very brave like Edda. Although school may not be portrayed as fun, the positive messages about friendship and being brave though it can be difficult remain prevalent. While Edda has some Norse mythology themes, it’s only a hint rather than an introduction to this mythology system. Still, many children will be able to relate to being scared of the first day of school but learning to be brave anyway.
June 18, 2015
Edda is a young Norse Valkyrie who lives in Asgard (those of you who are fans of Thor know this place). She wants to find kids her own age, so her father takes her to school on Earth. She finds that school is very different. No one wants to be her friend and school is so much different that being in Asgard. She is homesick, so during writing time she shares about her home. Edda discovers that maybe school isn't such a bad place after all.
I really liked this story. Everyone is worried the first day of school, especially early elementary kids. Even mighty and brave Valkyries have fears. I liked how the author compared Asgard with school. The pictures seem to be pen and ink drawings and fit the story very well. The font is smaller so I would classify this as a "read with me" for younger students.
I really liked this story. Everyone is worried the first day of school, especially early elementary kids. Even mighty and brave Valkyries have fears. I liked how the author compared Asgard with school. The pictures seem to be pen and ink drawings and fit the story very well. The font is smaller so I would classify this as a "read with me" for younger students.
August 27, 2014
In honor of the first day of classes here at SHSU, I read EDDA: A LITTLE VALKYRIE'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. A cute story of a little girl isolated in Asgard with a wish to meet kids her own age. Her father sends her to school, and while there learns there are differences between school and home. Because of her bravery, she meets new friends and has new adventures.
This is also perfect because I'm almost finished listening to The Strange Maid by Tessa Gratton.
This is also perfect because I'm almost finished listening to The Strange Maid by Tessa Gratton.
August 18, 2014
Love that Edda is a typical kid (well, besides her being a Valkyrie), rather than a stereotypical girl. I am always seeking strong female character
representation for both my son and daughter, and Edda is a fun one. I think the thing that bothered me a bit was the depiction of school. It seemed tedious and boring until Edda made friends. Not sure if I like that particular message.
representation for both my son and daughter, and Edda is a fun one. I think the thing that bothered me a bit was the depiction of school. It seemed tedious and boring until Edda made friends. Not sure if I like that particular message.
March 13, 2015
I love this book! A little Valkyrie from Asgard decides that she'd like to make friends her own age. Her father takes her to Kindergarten on Earth, and at first fitting in isn't easy. When she shares her love of Asgard with her class, though, she connects with the other kids for a happy ending.
The illustrations are adorable, and the concept is fresh and fun. Edda is awesome!
The illustrations are adorable, and the concept is fresh and fun. Edda is awesome!
August 6, 2015
From a first-week-of-school read-aloud blog post:
This distinctly amusing twist on the "being at a new school" trope was a big hit last year so it is top on my list to use again this year. Edda lives on Asgard, one of the homes to the Viking gods and when her father decides she needs some experience with other kids her age (there being none on Asgard), he sends her to school on Earth. The result is a gently humorous look at Edda learning how to bring her own self into a new and very different place. This is a book that is definitely one that can be best appreciated by my students --- some of them have already studied the Vikings and others know about them. And Edda's fish-out-of-water feeling is one they probably are all feeling on that first day of school. Not to mention, it is quirky and different --- I mean, are there any other first-day-of-school books inspired by Wagner's Ring series (as this evidently was)? Though that it was doesn't matter a wit; I don't know Wagner's operas firsthand, but do know that this little off-beat story is a great one to start my class out on their 4th grade year.
This distinctly amusing twist on the "being at a new school" trope was a big hit last year so it is top on my list to use again this year. Edda lives on Asgard, one of the homes to the Viking gods and when her father decides she needs some experience with other kids her age (there being none on Asgard), he sends her to school on Earth. The result is a gently humorous look at Edda learning how to bring her own self into a new and very different place. This is a book that is definitely one that can be best appreciated by my students --- some of them have already studied the Vikings and others know about them. And Edda's fish-out-of-water feeling is one they probably are all feeling on that first day of school. Not to mention, it is quirky and different --- I mean, are there any other first-day-of-school books inspired by Wagner's Ring series (as this evidently was)? Though that it was doesn't matter a wit; I don't know Wagner's operas firsthand, but do know that this little off-beat story is a great one to start my class out on their 4th grade year.
May 21, 2014
Clever and original, this picture book is perfect for kids starting school. Straightforward text paired with hilarious illustrations reveal the challenges and joys of this universal experience…while also introducing young readers to the fantastic world of the Valkyrie complete with dragons, unicorns, and more.
January 1, 2015
Sweet story about a little Viking girl who just wants a friend her own age. She lives in a magical land with lots of freedom. School is hard and has certain rules. She learns that she can be brave and learn, but also she can teach her new friends about herself and her family.
March 9, 2016
Adorable; but most fun if you're familiar with Norse mythology. The depiction of being the lonely newcomer, proudly sharing your unique heritage, and appreciating those who are different is certainly universal though.
December 11, 2017
This little book is adorable! A story about an independent child adjusting to structure and tasks in a classroom.
The illustrations and tale definitely elevate this children's book to a modern classic.
The illustrations and tale definitely elevate this children's book to a modern classic.
April 17, 2018
Picture Book
This book is about a little Valkyrie who decides to come to school on Earth. It was nice, but not spectacular. Could be good for talking about new beginnings and discussing what things helped Edda feel comfortable when she tried new things.
This book is about a little Valkyrie who decides to come to school on Earth. It was nice, but not spectacular. Could be good for talking about new beginnings and discussing what things helped Edda feel comfortable when she tried new things.
April 30, 2018
So cute.
April 3, 2019
So adorable -- both a fun way to introduce a child to Norse Mythology and, in a completely different direction, engage with a child about to go to school for the first time.
February 5, 2020
I loved this idea the moment I read about it - and reading the book did not disappoint! The little Valkyrie's first day at a normal elementary school is rife with culture clashes and disappointments - but a writing assignment allows her to merge her two worlds and gain even more friends, as well as empowering others. Any fans of Norse mythology will delight in the little details of this book, like the Odinesque eyepatch on Edda's father, the enormous feasting hall, and and the sisterhood of band of Valkyries. I fell in love with this book!
October 8, 2019
Edda the Valkyrie has a tough time fitting into the traditional educational setting after growing up in Asgard. Sounds like a Waldorf School might be a better fit for this out-of-the-heavens student.
March 24, 2020
This is a fun take on first-day-of-school jitters. It's not a classic, but still really enjoyable, as a brave little Valkyrie faces her first day. For a storytime, it'd be fun to use for a school theme, or in a program with a mythology theme.
February 20, 2019
The idea here (Little Valkyrie Edda leaves her home on Asgard to go to school on earth) is adorable. The execution is okay-ish. The art is all right, the story is fine, and overall, that makes this disappointing. Also, the culmination of Edda’s desire to make friends is completely unrealistic to anyone who is a decent parent or would be.
November 10, 2020
I think this book would make a good read aloud because this book talks about differences. Sometimes differences are be seen as bad instead of good. I like this book because Edda is able to share more about her home to the people at her school and they really like it. This book embraces differences.
March 10, 2025
This appeared in a little free library one winter afternoon, so I decided to read it. This book has some of the cutest illustrations! Great for those going to school for the first time - and a bit worried/concerned about it.
December 4, 2018
Love the concept, but the execution felt lacking to me.
December 15, 2018
Did that mother at the end just let her child fly away with a stranger on an eight-legged horse? BETTER PARENTING, PEOPLE.
April 26, 2021
Edda has a hard time adjusting to school. After she tells stories of her homeland Asgard, she makes a new friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2021
LOVED! So adorable, love the Norse mythology twist, and a great story for the start of school
August 5, 2022
This cute book deals with the fears kids may have about starting school. It includes imagination and has good pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews