How to Train Your Dragon: A Journal for Heroes

How to Train Your Dragon

by Cressida Cowell

Author(s): Cressida Cowell ISBN: 9781444923162 Binding: Hardcover Published: 2014-12-09 Ink-splattered and full of quotes, Viking songs and riotous drawings from the How to Train Your Dragon books. This is a must-have journal for all seasons with blank space for young Heroes to fill with their own dragon drawings and heroic musings... Also includes Dragon jokes and useful Dragonese phrases to help train even the naughtiest of dragons.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mythology, Childrens, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2014

About the author

Cressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.

Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic concept! Dragon trainers of all ages will love this book! If you are a fan of any fantasy series that has a 'dragon' presence then I think that there is a very good possibility that you will enjoy this unique look at one of the most interesting mythological animals in our collective memory. Nicely presented in an enjoyable format!

[Jaiden Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute add-on to the HTTYD series, full of songs, art, and goofy dragon jokes!💖🐉

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this was our, Hiccup and Toothless and Furious withdrawl book, the one where we just couldn't believe the series was over, and just wanted a little something else to remember the characters by.

[John C. A. Manley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pishyou, keendlee gobba oot mi freeundlee?

No, I'm not practicing my Dutch.

It's Dragonese for: "Please, would you be so kind as to spit my friend out?"

A Dragonese dictionary is just one of the many amusing sidebars that lines the pages of Cressida Cowell's super-successful young adult novel, How to Train Your Dragon.

I'd seen the animated movie many years ago and, while I found the plot rather predictable, the execution was delightful. The book has always been on my must-read list. I can go scratch it off now with a dragon's talon. I just completed reading it in English to my son, alternating each sentence with my polyglot wife reading the Dutch translation (Hoe Tem Je Een Drak).

The novel's plot is completely different from the movie's. The setting and characters are the same, but it's a unique adventure. It's also far funnier..

And then there's the philosophizing man-eating dragon:

“The thing is, we are all, in a sense, supper. Walking, talking, breathing suppers, that's what we are. Take you, for instance. YOU are about to be eaten by ME, so that makes you supper. That's obvious. But even a murderous carnivore like myself will be supper for worms one day. We're all snatching precious moments from the peaceful jaws of time.”

The whole story was full of such delightful humour, along with comic characters and many plot twists. The Viking backdrop is far more realistic with plenty of snow and ice (unlike the movie, which appears to be set in a perpetual Scandinavian summer paradise). 

All in all, an entertaining mix of morals, mirth and myths.

[Elkaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, got around to reading – How to train your dragon, and I loved it. This book was fun to read, even from my adult eyes. Thus, I can see why it became a popular story over these last few years, and made a great cartoon movie. The narrative was very creative, and a wonderful way to capture the intention of children, especially boys.

But some parents may not approve some of the language used, claiming its potty language. So, beware of this, but I didn't have a problem with this, growing up with 3 brothers. Yet, I felt this story, about a boy finding his dragon, and then training it, while forming a wonderful friendship is what storytelling should always be, a fun adventure for anyone at any age.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Viking boys had to capture and train a dragon to be accepted as a warrior of the tribe. In this tale, the training goes wrong, 85 boys are about to be abandoned by the tribe, and two gigantic dragons threaten the whole tribe's existence. The boys about to be exiled and one of their dragons get their moment of glory.
I am looking for books for some of my 6th grade boys, so tried this one out. I think the boys would like it a lot!

[Molly Wagandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really like it, I mean it was fine, but the book is boring. As the series goes on the books start to get dark.