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D'Aulaires' Norse Gods & Giants
Ancient myths, populated by gods and giants, were invented by the imaginative Norsemen centuries ago. Everything from the creation of the world to daily events and supernatural occurrences form the basis for these incredible, fun and fascinating stories. Complete with a Reader's Companion: a combination index, glossary, pronunciation and reader's guide.
154 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 1986
About the author
Ingri d'Aulaire
60 books179 followersIngri d'Aulaire (1904-1980) was an American children's artist and illustrator, who worked in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Born Ingri Mortenson in Kongsburg, Norway, she studied art in Norway, Germany and France, and met Edgar Parin d'Aulaire when she was a student in Munich. They married in 1925, and immigrated to the USA shortly thereafter, settling in Brooklyn in 1929. After pursuing separate careers initially, the couple turned to illustrating children's books together, releasing their first collaborative effort, The Magic Rug, in 1931. They settled in Wilton, Connecticut in 1941, and lived there until their deaths in the 1980s. Awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for their picture-book biography of Abraham Lincoln, the d'Aulaires published other children's biographies, as well as some notable works on Greek and Norse mythology. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 8, 2012
Well-loved books from my past
Rating: 4* of five
Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire were a married couple of Euro-origin, he Swiss and she Norwegian, who came to the US in the 1920s to pursue fame and fortune. Edgar was an illustrator for books, magazines, and the like, while Ingri painted rich guys' portraits. Came the Depression, oh dearie me...everything got harder...so the two collaborated on writing and illustrating kids' books together. For forty-plus years, the couple turned out beautiful, beautiful books.
This book, published in 1967, was a gift from my dad to me. I haven't got a lot of fond memories of my parents, and oddly most of them center around books in one shape or another. This is no exception. Dad read the book to me, even though by 1967 I was reading on my own, and we both loved the experience. He's a hambone and a half, my dad, funny and quick and full of wordplay. This book launched him on trajectories of mythmashing that, had I known then what I know now, I'd've written down or memorized or tape-recorded or something. He was abso-bloody-lutely riotous doing Odin as a doddering old fuffertut and Thor as a lisping faggot (my sides are already hurting remembering the way that made me laugh...still does...) and the Valkyries as whining misery-guts.
P.C. he was, and is, not.
The last time we spoke on the phone, before deafness and vascular dementia made it pointless to speak at all, I reminded Dad of this book. He laughed like he had when he was 40. He lit up as he did the voices again. It was a good last conversation to have with him, and it's all down to being a great big kid as he always was, and appreciating his kidliness left me feeling a lot less angry for his adult failings.
So this book holds my special and dear gratitude for being a bridge to a man I never loved, but always felt impatient with and annoyed by and hurt by. Books are magic, and myths are real, and don't ever, ever, ever forget that.
Rating: 4* of five
Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire were a married couple of Euro-origin, he Swiss and she Norwegian, who came to the US in the 1920s to pursue fame and fortune. Edgar was an illustrator for books, magazines, and the like, while Ingri painted rich guys' portraits. Came the Depression, oh dearie me...everything got harder...so the two collaborated on writing and illustrating kids' books together. For forty-plus years, the couple turned out beautiful, beautiful books.
This book, published in 1967, was a gift from my dad to me. I haven't got a lot of fond memories of my parents, and oddly most of them center around books in one shape or another. This is no exception. Dad read the book to me, even though by 1967 I was reading on my own, and we both loved the experience. He's a hambone and a half, my dad, funny and quick and full of wordplay. This book launched him on trajectories of mythmashing that, had I known then what I know now, I'd've written down or memorized or tape-recorded or something. He was abso-bloody-lutely riotous doing Odin as a doddering old fuffertut and Thor as a lisping faggot (my sides are already hurting remembering the way that made me laugh...still does...) and the Valkyries as whining misery-guts.
P.C. he was, and is, not.
The last time we spoke on the phone, before deafness and vascular dementia made it pointless to speak at all, I reminded Dad of this book. He laughed like he had when he was 40. He lit up as he did the voices again. It was a good last conversation to have with him, and it's all down to being a great big kid as he always was, and appreciating his kidliness left me feeling a lot less angry for his adult failings.
So this book holds my special and dear gratitude for being a bridge to a man I never loved, but always felt impatient with and annoyed by and hurt by. Books are magic, and myths are real, and don't ever, ever, ever forget that.
November 30, 2011
Definitely an interesting look into the Norse gods, especially since I have read very little about them until this point. I didn't love the art style, but that's just my own taste.
One thing that still gets to me: I'm baffled how Loki lost one of his bets. He has smiths make golden hair for one of the Aesir wives to attach to her own shorn hair, a spear that always hits its mark, and a boat that sails on the sea and flies over land and is big enough to carry all of the Aesir but is able to be folded up and slipped into a pocket.
Another smith bets that he can do better, and he makes a golden bracelet that can produce more golden bracelets just like it, a hammer that smashes whatever it hits and always returns to the owner, and a shiny golden boar that one person can ride.
The latter smith wins the contest.
Um. . . How? The way I see it, making an entire head of realistic looking hair from gold is cooler than making a bracelet, even one that reproduces itself. Making a spear that always hits home is pretty much on par with making a hammer that breaks whatever it hits (plus the hammer was flawed and had a short handle). As for the boar/ship thing . . . oh, come on! If someone says to you, "Okay, I've made you a limo big enough to carry all of your friends and family. If you run into a traffic jam or want to cross an ocean, there's no problem, because it can fly. Also, you never have to lose it in a parking lot because you can just fold it up and carry it in your pocket." And another person says, "That's nothing. I've made you a sports car made of gold that fits one person. It's shiny." Personally, I'd be like, " . . . That's nice. I'm going to go take a drive in my flying limo."
How did Loki lose that bet??? The people who originally told these stories were crazy. (Then again, considering Loki is the father of the Midgard serpent, Fenrir the wolf, and a dragon, and also the mother of an eight-legged horse . . . maybe that goes without saying.)
One thing that still gets to me: I'm baffled how Loki lost one of his bets. He has smiths make golden hair for one of the Aesir wives to attach to her own shorn hair, a spear that always hits its mark, and a boat that sails on the sea and flies over land and is big enough to carry all of the Aesir but is able to be folded up and slipped into a pocket.
Another smith bets that he can do better, and he makes a golden bracelet that can produce more golden bracelets just like it, a hammer that smashes whatever it hits and always returns to the owner, and a shiny golden boar that one person can ride.
The latter smith wins the contest.
Um. . . How? The way I see it, making an entire head of realistic looking hair from gold is cooler than making a bracelet, even one that reproduces itself. Making a spear that always hits home is pretty much on par with making a hammer that breaks whatever it hits (plus the hammer was flawed and had a short handle). As for the boar/ship thing . . . oh, come on! If someone says to you, "Okay, I've made you a limo big enough to carry all of your friends and family. If you run into a traffic jam or want to cross an ocean, there's no problem, because it can fly. Also, you never have to lose it in a parking lot because you can just fold it up and carry it in your pocket." And another person says, "That's nothing. I've made you a sports car made of gold that fits one person. It's shiny." Personally, I'd be like, " . . . That's nice. I'm going to go take a drive in my flying limo."
How did Loki lose that bet??? The people who originally told these stories were crazy. (Then again, considering Loki is the father of the Midgard serpent, Fenrir the wolf, and a dragon, and also the mother of an eight-legged horse . . . maybe that goes without saying.)
June 8, 2009
I think of this book as having been a sort of landmark in my intellectual development. I discovered it in my school library during my second grade year, and fell in love with it. I checked it out a few times during that year, but one time, I encountered a library aide who didn't want to let me have it. The library was organized by grade level, and we primary kids weren't allowed to check things out from the higher level sections. Eventually my mother had to meet with the librarian, and after that I was the ONLY KID IN THE SCHOOL who was allowed to check out any book I wanted. What a stupid way to run a library.
Anyway, this book got me interested in mythology. I spent the next couple of years reading every collection of myths I could get my hands on. I read stories from all over the world, but by fourth grade, I'd decided the Greeks were the best. I became a fourth grade Greek mythology expert.
I believe that this book by the D'Aulaires, with its gorgeous colored-pencil illustrations, started me on a path that eventually led to my interest in language, historical linguistics, medieval history and literature. When I was in high school, I special-ordered a copy from a local bookstore, so that I could finally own the book that had such an effect on my life. In college I read some of the sagas in Old Norse and loved them. Thank you, Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire!
Anyway, this book got me interested in mythology. I spent the next couple of years reading every collection of myths I could get my hands on. I read stories from all over the world, but by fourth grade, I'd decided the Greeks were the best. I became a fourth grade Greek mythology expert.
I believe that this book by the D'Aulaires, with its gorgeous colored-pencil illustrations, started me on a path that eventually led to my interest in language, historical linguistics, medieval history and literature. When I was in high school, I special-ordered a copy from a local bookstore, so that I could finally own the book that had such an effect on my life. In college I read some of the sagas in Old Norse and loved them. Thank you, Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire!
March 2, 2025
Not for every child at every age; I don't think I ever did more than glance at it myself until I was an adult. It's intricate, improbable, and (often) very strange, even in a toned-down version. Do the illustrations help or simply frighten? Is the Christian ending tacked on, as some have accused, or simply the next logical step? These are things that parents need to consider before handing the book to a child.
However, the best parts tell some of the oldest and most wonderful stories in the world, including those that deeply influenced later artists and writers; and the D'Aulaires' book is as good a place as any to hear them for the first time.
"I knew nothing about Balder; but instantly I was uplifted into huge regions of northern sky, I desired with almost sickening intensity something never to be described (except that it is cold, spacious, severe, pale, and remote) and then, as in the other examples, found myself at the very same moment already falling out of that desire and wishing I were back in it." (C. S. Lewis, recalling his first encounter with Longfellow's poem "Tegner's Drapa")
However, the best parts tell some of the oldest and most wonderful stories in the world, including those that deeply influenced later artists and writers; and the D'Aulaires' book is as good a place as any to hear them for the first time.
"I knew nothing about Balder; but instantly I was uplifted into huge regions of northern sky, I desired with almost sickening intensity something never to be described (except that it is cold, spacious, severe, pale, and remote) and then, as in the other examples, found myself at the very same moment already falling out of that desire and wishing I were back in it." (C. S. Lewis, recalling his first encounter with Longfellow's poem "Tegner's Drapa")
February 4, 2009
How curious that despite the many great kings, wars, and achievements of a bygone civilization, its lowly bards and priests have ensured its immortality through stories and myths.
I read Norse Gods and Giants after I had been introduced to Judeo–Christian mythology by my parents (and the Monticello, AR public school system) and Greek mythology by my father and some excellent children's books, the names of which now escape me. I remember being moved by the stories themselves - the difficult choices of Odin, who, burdened by knowledge and the yoke of leadership, became blood-brothers with the devious Loki, and hung himself from the Yggdrasil tree to attain command over runes; Baldar's tragic murder by mistletoe; and Thor's humiliating contests - but the writing and the art really bring these stories to life.
I highly recommend this for readers young and old.
I read Norse Gods and Giants after I had been introduced to Judeo–Christian mythology by my parents (and the Monticello, AR public school system) and Greek mythology by my father and some excellent children's books, the names of which now escape me. I remember being moved by the stories themselves - the difficult choices of Odin, who, burdened by knowledge and the yoke of leadership, became blood-brothers with the devious Loki, and hung himself from the Yggdrasil tree to attain command over runes; Baldar's tragic murder by mistletoe; and Thor's humiliating contests - but the writing and the art really bring these stories to life.
I highly recommend this for readers young and old.
October 10, 2015
I read this quickly and not carefully. I just wanted quick answers about who Riordan is talking about in his new book The Sword of Summer. This has a great glossary in the back where you can get summaries of what each god does. The stories in there are pretty good but feel rather repetitive (wars and lies. Of course, you can argue the same for Greek mythology. There it is love and lies). While I haven't gotten my hands yet on two books I just ordered recently on Norse mythology, the D'Aulaire book still does a fundamental job on the subject. I certainly wouldn't recommend someone discard this title!It is dated in some ways, it still does the job.
January 11, 2020
I know very little about Norse mythology, and this children's book came highly recommended. The illustrations were beautiful and it was a great introduction to a world I'd love to learn more about.
July 4, 2012
My brothers have been obsessed with Norse mythology since they were little, and even though I was curious to know why they liked it so much, I never bothered to try to educate myself about it on my own. This is a kids' book, so I'm sure it only scratches the tip of the iceberg, but I think it's a great introduction to the various worlds, gods, goddesses, and creatures. And now I understand why my brothers love these stories so much.
It's funny to imagine the culture that came up with these myths: warriors who die with honor are taken by beautiful women to a guest house where they fight to the death each day, come back to life at night, and drink beer that never stops flowing... Apparently the bro mentality is nothing new! But this simple-minded, sexist, violence-glorifying story suddenly becomes moving in the context of men going off to war and comforting themselves with ideas about what will await them after they die.
Other stories are just pure poetry and satisfy the imagination like the contemporary fiction I read now just can't: a being born from 9 mothers, the movement of the moon and sun across the sky explained by creatures disguised as wolves chasing them around (because they just want a break from the bright light).
The way the book ended, with the Norse gods dying or subduing and giving way to (a Christian) God Almighty was so disappointing, but I don't hold it against the authors the way one reviewer does. Actually, in the glossary at the back of the book, under the description of "Gimle" (high heaven), the authors explain that some think that this world was introduced to the Norse cannon by Christians trying to establish their church in Scandanavia. I wish that fact had been incorporated into one of the stories in the main body of the book since it's so telling and poignant, but I guess I understand why this would be glossed over in a children's book.
It's funny to imagine the culture that came up with these myths: warriors who die with honor are taken by beautiful women to a guest house where they fight to the death each day, come back to life at night, and drink beer that never stops flowing... Apparently the bro mentality is nothing new! But this simple-minded, sexist, violence-glorifying story suddenly becomes moving in the context of men going off to war and comforting themselves with ideas about what will await them after they die.
Other stories are just pure poetry and satisfy the imagination like the contemporary fiction I read now just can't: a being born from 9 mothers, the movement of the moon and sun across the sky explained by creatures disguised as wolves chasing them around (because they just want a break from the bright light).
The way the book ended, with the Norse gods dying or subduing and giving way to (a Christian) God Almighty was so disappointing, but I don't hold it against the authors the way one reviewer does. Actually, in the glossary at the back of the book, under the description of "Gimle" (high heaven), the authors explain that some think that this world was introduced to the Norse cannon by Christians trying to establish their church in Scandanavia. I wish that fact had been incorporated into one of the stories in the main body of the book since it's so telling and poignant, but I guess I understand why this would be glossed over in a children's book.
February 19, 2017
Having just finished Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology", I was (strongly) reminded of this masterpiece - one of my all-time favorite books as a child (I think I borrowed it from the school library on a bi-monthly basis for several years running.) This is the best single collection of Norse myths - for children AND for adults - that I know of. Beautifully illustrated, wonderfully told, and wide in scope. From Creation to Ragnarok, from the adventures of Odin, Thor, and Loki to the golden chess pieces in the vacant fields of Asgard -- it is all there. It is one of the most treasured books in my home library, partly for nostalgia, and partly because it is just that good.
July 25, 2011
The D'Aulaires always do great work and this is no exception. I personally prefer their book on Greek Mythology, but this is also well done. I particularly like the illustrations, especially the color pages and how they can write the stories so that children can understand but so that the stories are not dumbed down or leave out important details. Worth a peek!
September 16, 2011
Yeah, it's a kiddie book. So sue me...
I read this one in fourth grade(hard to believe that 1976 was thirty-five years ago. Betimes, it seems as if it were only yesterday....) and found it utterly captivating. From there, it was a relatively short trip to Tolkien's "Middle Earth" (which, not coincidentally, is a faithful, Modern English rendering of the Old Norse "Midgard").
I read this one in fourth grade(hard to believe that 1976 was thirty-five years ago. Betimes, it seems as if it were only yesterday....) and found it utterly captivating. From there, it was a relatively short trip to Tolkien's "Middle Earth" (which, not coincidentally, is a faithful, Modern English rendering of the Old Norse "Midgard").
May 23, 2013
This was my introduction into Norse Mythology. The simple clarity of the D'Aulaires mythology books are memorable and interesting. Especially if you're unfamiliar with such stories. This book started a great interest of mine that captivates me to this day. I just purchased a hardcover of this very book for my own kids that are interested in mythology and creation stories.
August 1, 2007
This book had a huge influence on me. I've forgotten many of the myths, but the artwork still haunts me.
December 7, 2007
old school...my brother and i checked this out every week from the library in elementary school and at some point in time he bought it at a library sale. way to go bean.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
July 9, 2016
this is collection of Norse mythological stories that would be good to use in an elementary or middle school classroom. The stories are short and beautifully illustrated.
September 4, 2013
Beautifully illustrated tales of the Gods of the Norsemen.
February 28, 2014
Delightful stories of Norse Myth told and illustrated for children
May 6, 2018
I love this one and the Greek one. so good.
August 25, 2016
I just finished reading this to the kids. onto the Egyptians!
April 19, 2019
For kids, and somewhat sanitized, but not as much as one might think. I found this an enjoyable overview.
February 11, 2021
Read aloud to 5-year-old niece. Loki was her favorite character, lol.
November 24, 2011
D’Aulaires’ Norse Gods and Giants (originally published 1967, republished 2005 as D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths) is a great starting point, as was their Greek Myths volume that I regularly reread and poured over as a child. Using the D’Aulaires’ straight-forward prose and a nice balance of illustration, this introduction for children covers what seems to be the most important traditions and people in Norse mythology. Coming from a good understanding of the Greek myths, I was interested to see how the mythologies overlapped a little, and yet how different they were overall. The Norse Gods were mortal, and while they were not as promiscuous and otherwise involved with the lives of the humans, they still had an ongoing tradition of disagreement and rivalry. I was fascinated to learn about the blood-brother god who wasn’t a god: Loki. I was hungry for more, although to get a familiar with the Norse mythology as I am with Greek mythology, I realize I’d have to reread D’Aulaires’ volume a few more dozen times.
March 27, 2022
This is the book that introduced me to the Norse gods. The d'Aularie book about Greek myths was also my first. These books were highly transformative for my youthful mind that adored, and was raised being read fairy tales, legends, and other stories, yet, these were entirely new to me.
Having this in my Great Read- as I will finally dub my efforts to read those books from childhood that were beloved and remembered after all of these decades- makes me very happy. For years after, the tales, and the illustrations (oh, such wonderful illustrations) remain fresh in my mind. It is odd that I don't own it, but I will eventually. Also, as I attend to the publication dates, I am delighted in how many were rather recent books when I first encountered them.
I would call this the best introduction to the Norse stories of the Creation, Ragnorok, Aesir gods, a few Vanir gods, and tales of their exploits.
Having this in my Great Read- as I will finally dub my efforts to read those books from childhood that were beloved and remembered after all of these decades- makes me very happy. For years after, the tales, and the illustrations (oh, such wonderful illustrations) remain fresh in my mind. It is odd that I don't own it, but I will eventually. Also, as I attend to the publication dates, I am delighted in how many were rather recent books when I first encountered them.
I would call this the best introduction to the Norse stories of the Creation, Ragnorok, Aesir gods, a few Vanir gods, and tales of their exploits.
July 15, 2012
Norse Gods and Giants is several stories from Norse mythology. All of the things on the Christmas tree descended from Norse mythology. The candles represent Thor’s lightning, the garlands are for the rainbow bridge, at the top the Christmas angel keeps watch instead of the eagle, and the three Norns (the three Norns are Urd, Vernande, and Skuld) are replaced by the Christ child.
My favorite story is about Odin who gets an eight-legged steed that can run on the air, a spear that never misses its goal, and a golden arm ring that every nine nights eight bracelets exactly like it drop from it. Odin also is the war god. Odin has only 1 eye because he used his other eye to gain all the knowledge of the Jotun race. I would recommend this book to somebody who likes other culture’s mythology.
Reviewed by Mooboy (age 9)
My favorite story is about Odin who gets an eight-legged steed that can run on the air, a spear that never misses its goal, and a golden arm ring that every nine nights eight bracelets exactly like it drop from it. Odin also is the war god. Odin has only 1 eye because he used his other eye to gain all the knowledge of the Jotun race. I would recommend this book to somebody who likes other culture’s mythology.
Reviewed by Mooboy (age 9)
May 2, 2017
This was the next installment in my tour of religious traditions for Ansel's bedtime stories. The Bible, Greek Gods and Goddesses, Muslim Child, Native American Stories,...we are having fun noting the similar themes and stories that occur in them all, and the different explanations that people came up with to explain the same phenomenon. The Norse Gods include lots of memorable characters like Thor but also lesser known ones like Loki that push the good vs. evil boundaries and make for good discussion. Fun to have gods on skis too. And the illustrations in the book are pretty amazing. There is a lot of violence in some of the stories though, which perhaps wasn't for the best at bedtime in this age bracket.
January 29, 2012
Illustrated. A wonderful look at the old Norse myths. The D’Aulaires ostensibly write for juveniles, but they do not needlessly bowdlerize or prudishly censor; neither do they ever dumb down their subject. Loki is wicked, Odin the master of dark magics, Thor a brutish oaf who lives to fight, drink, and eat, and Ragnarok is terrifying (a ship made of fingernails!). The stories presented here are thorough, engaging, and wondrous, as fables should be. Though the D’Aulaire illustrating style possibly isn’t for everyone, I found their rough, colorful sketches very charming and superb additions to the tales.
July 15, 2012
Norse gods and giants is a book of Norse mythology. Norse mythology is the native religion of Iceland. Norse gods and giants is not one story but many. The book is new, the storys so not.
My favorite story is the one tiled Odin the Great All–Father. I like it because, well, well, well, he’s the All – Father. Odin is the god who makes the other gods all except for 3: his father and 2 brothers. Odin is the Norse god of life. Odin has 1 eye, because he made a bargain for wisdom with the other.
I recommend this book to people who like mythology or to people who like big blind guys who throw stuff.
Reviewed by Bulldog (Aged 8)
My favorite story is the one tiled Odin the Great All–Father. I like it because, well, well, well, he’s the All – Father. Odin is the god who makes the other gods all except for 3: his father and 2 brothers. Odin is the Norse god of life. Odin has 1 eye, because he made a bargain for wisdom with the other.
I recommend this book to people who like mythology or to people who like big blind guys who throw stuff.
Reviewed by Bulldog (Aged 8)
November 13, 2009
Read this back in elementary school, before the Hobbit even, and it certainly set me down the path to hardcore geekery... my interest in history, D&D, heavy metal, etc. all ultimately have some origins here (as well as the D'Aulaires' Trolls book and to a lesser degree the Greek myth book). I always liked the Norse gods more than the Greek ones because, among other things, they were actively adventuring (particularly the odd couple, Thor & Loki) and could (& would) actually die. Mortal gods! If these aren't really Dark Ages superheroes, I don't know what they are.
December 4, 2017
Despite a lot of positives in this one, to modern readers, the stories in this book represent a very strong patriarchy with women severely pushed into the background. In some stories, my young children were pointing out ways in which the language of the stories puts women in a subservient society role. I realize this might be an authentic re-telling of these stories, but in that case, then it is probably better to stop telling these stories. This is a nice historical relic, but there are much better stories to read to children nowadays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews