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How to Train Your Dragon #1-6
How to Train Your Dragon Boxed Set
The original bestselling series that inspired the hit movie sensation How to Train Your Dragon chronicles the adventures and misadventures of reluctant Viking hero Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless. Join Hiccup and Toothless on their first six adventures. This hardcover boxed set includes: How to Train Your Dragon; How to Be a Pirate; How to Speak Dragonese; How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse; How to Twist a Dragon's Tale; and A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons.
1488 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2010
About the author
Cressida Cowell
218 books2,508 followersCressida 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)
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)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 9, 2021
| Reader Fox Blog |
You know those rare moments in life when you loved the movie far more than you even liked the book? Well, that's How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. This doesn't happen very often for me, but ultimately I find some movies really take the source material and change it for the better. Often, unfortunately, that happens when the source material either isn't great, has problems, or just plain missed out on an opportunity for emotional attachment. In the case of Cowell's novel, it's not that her story is bad but rather that the film's story is better, infinitely so, especially when it comes to emotionality.
Let's get one thing straight here to start with.
Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon is nothing like its movie counterpart. If you suggested that the film is loosely based on this book, you'd be correct. Near everything is different. I could probably count the similarities on one hand. Barring Hiccup's personality (but only moderately), the names, the setting, and pieces of the ending...there's very little similar about them. Instead of a world of Vikings who are terrified of and fight dragons, we live literally in a world where they are raised to capture and train them. The entire central conflict of the film, that of Stoick wanting his son to kill dragons and Hiccup refusing, does not exist in the book.
Also, much to the annoyance of one of my students, there is no Astrid in the books.
As much as I hate to admit it, the changes made to the story really do affect the likability. I can guarantee you all that I would not have an emotional attachment to How to Train Your Dragon without the things that they changed in the process of adapting it. Most likely, if I'd even read the book, I would have thought it was decent for young readers--it is generally a pretty good book--but I never would have cared much more than that. As it stands, I really have no interest whatsoever in reading the rest of the books in this series.
Let's talk about why.
I'm just going to come right out and say it: book Toothless is awful. He's whiny and annoying and in no way endearing. I don't care about him at all in the books whereas in the movie I fall in love with him. This was perhaps my biggest gripe about the differences between the books. I couldn't stand one of the most important characters. Also, Toothless talks which, while not inherently bad, it did make it harder to connect with the characters in general. Again, there's that emotionality aspect; Toothless was kind of a jerk, something you wouldn't have felt as much had he not been able to talk.
The stakes are higher in the film. First of all, you care more about the characters. You love Hiccup, you adore Toothless, and you're incredibly invested in their relationship and wellbeing. The books were more about a bullied kid of a leader who couldn't figure out how to train his bratty pet. The movie, however, had many deeper messages. Moments of tension like when Hiccup had to decide between being the fearsome dragon killer his father wants him to be and when he tried to convince his people that dragons weren't dangerous had you on the edge of your seat. You care about Stoick, but you hate him for what he does to Toothless.
The movie shows you that adults can be wrong sometimes and learn, too.
You don't really get that in the book.
Honestly, at times the victory at the end of the novel doesn't even feel earned. Things just happened to turn out. The lazy dragon who refused to anything just happened to get up and do something. If I recall correctly, he complained the entire time he was doing it. Everyone had dragons, so Toothless--baring his reluctant heroics--wasn't really special in any way other than that he allowed Hiccup to get bullied more.
And I'm not saying that the book was bad. The world-building is amazing, the characters are fun and relatable, and the story is pretty decent. But I never would have loved it on its own. And, yeah, when compared to the movie it doesn't even really stand a chance.
| Reader Fox Links |
You know those rare moments in life when you loved the movie far more than you even liked the book? Well, that's How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. This doesn't happen very often for me, but ultimately I find some movies really take the source material and change it for the better. Often, unfortunately, that happens when the source material either isn't great, has problems, or just plain missed out on an opportunity for emotional attachment. In the case of Cowell's novel, it's not that her story is bad but rather that the film's story is better, infinitely so, especially when it comes to emotionality.
Let's get one thing straight here to start with.
Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon is nothing like its movie counterpart. If you suggested that the film is loosely based on this book, you'd be correct. Near everything is different. I could probably count the similarities on one hand. Barring Hiccup's personality (but only moderately), the names, the setting, and pieces of the ending...there's very little similar about them. Instead of a world of Vikings who are terrified of and fight dragons, we live literally in a world where they are raised to capture and train them. The entire central conflict of the film, that of Stoick wanting his son to kill dragons and Hiccup refusing, does not exist in the book.
Also, much to the annoyance of one of my students, there is no Astrid in the books.
As much as I hate to admit it, the changes made to the story really do affect the likability. I can guarantee you all that I would not have an emotional attachment to How to Train Your Dragon without the things that they changed in the process of adapting it. Most likely, if I'd even read the book, I would have thought it was decent for young readers--it is generally a pretty good book--but I never would have cared much more than that. As it stands, I really have no interest whatsoever in reading the rest of the books in this series.
Let's talk about why.
I'm just going to come right out and say it: book Toothless is awful. He's whiny and annoying and in no way endearing. I don't care about him at all in the books whereas in the movie I fall in love with him. This was perhaps my biggest gripe about the differences between the books. I couldn't stand one of the most important characters. Also, Toothless talks which, while not inherently bad, it did make it harder to connect with the characters in general. Again, there's that emotionality aspect; Toothless was kind of a jerk, something you wouldn't have felt as much had he not been able to talk.
The stakes are higher in the film. First of all, you care more about the characters. You love Hiccup, you adore Toothless, and you're incredibly invested in their relationship and wellbeing. The books were more about a bullied kid of a leader who couldn't figure out how to train his bratty pet. The movie, however, had many deeper messages. Moments of tension like when Hiccup had to decide between being the fearsome dragon killer his father wants him to be and when he tried to convince his people that dragons weren't dangerous had you on the edge of your seat. You care about Stoick, but you hate him for what he does to Toothless.
The movie shows you that adults can be wrong sometimes and learn, too.
You don't really get that in the book.
Honestly, at times the victory at the end of the novel doesn't even feel earned. Things just happened to turn out. The lazy dragon who refused to anything just happened to get up and do something. If I recall correctly, he complained the entire time he was doing it. Everyone had dragons, so Toothless--baring his reluctant heroics--wasn't really special in any way other than that he allowed Hiccup to get bullied more.
And I'm not saying that the book was bad. The world-building is amazing, the characters are fun and relatable, and the story is pretty decent. But I never would have loved it on its own. And, yeah, when compared to the movie it doesn't even really stand a chance.
| Reader Fox Links |
March 29, 2017
Many kids have seen the How to Train Your Dragon movies and I must say they are my favourite movies (even out of adult movies!). However, the books are just as good. Though they are quite different to the movies they are excellent books and are my favourite children's books at the moment.
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a runt and a misfit, his best friend Fishlegs even more so. However together along with Hiccup's dragon Toothless these two unlikely heroes go on many outrageous, dangerous and crazy adventures throughout the Barbaric Archipelago.
Hiccup is one of the few Vikings who can speak Dragonese, the language of dragons. He is easy to relate to for many kids and even though he gets bullied, is small and doesn't fit in he is still a hero. He isn't good at everything but the things he is, he excels!
These are great books with a fun and complex world of dragons and Vikings. Definitely a series I would recommend to children, even ones who are just working up to chapter books as these are simple to read and have plenty of fun and quirky pictures.
I love these books, though I personally like the earlier books best. I give the series 4/5.
Happy reading!
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a runt and a misfit, his best friend Fishlegs even more so. However together along with Hiccup's dragon Toothless these two unlikely heroes go on many outrageous, dangerous and crazy adventures throughout the Barbaric Archipelago.
Hiccup is one of the few Vikings who can speak Dragonese, the language of dragons. He is easy to relate to for many kids and even though he gets bullied, is small and doesn't fit in he is still a hero. He isn't good at everything but the things he is, he excels!
These are great books with a fun and complex world of dragons and Vikings. Definitely a series I would recommend to children, even ones who are just working up to chapter books as these are simple to read and have plenty of fun and quirky pictures.
I love these books, though I personally like the earlier books best. I give the series 4/5.
Happy reading!
April 5, 2019
Whenever I review a How to Train Your Dragon book, I always have to mention the humor and charm and goofiness of the books. But the audio is a whole new level. As I listened, I couldn't help but think of the differences between book and audio. Such as, in the audio, the sections that summarize the different dragons can be awkward but, if you had read the books, fit and are nice additions to the story. Yet, the voice and dramatization of the characters by David Tennant adds so much to the story in the humor and depth of the story that if you don't listen to them, you miss a great part of the story. Both are great and you miss something of the story if you only read or listen to one and not the other. Also, listening to the books now as an adult than when I read them several years ago, I couldn't help but notice and laugh at how the shenanigans and mischievousness of Toothless reminded me of dealing with a naughty child and how adults trying to get the kid to behave in the way they want them too. It gave me a good chuckled and shake of the head.
Read
October 2, 2014 This book is really fun and exciting. It grabbed my attention many times, it keeps on making me want to continue reading. Especially when it is in the rising action. The plot kept getting more and more exciting. The characters were interesting, some are weird and funny. One more reason why this book is fun is because it also includes dragons in the story. To me, I find dragons interesting and really cool. I like how they are really strong, and breathes fire. In the end of the story, the plot makes me want to read the book 7, which I'm reading now. It's a really fun series.
November 3, 2011
I liked the part when hiccup deafeats the huge sea dragon and saves the
hooligon tribe.I think Cressida Cowell chooses realy funny names for the
carechtors in her books,I espesialy like the name Fishlegs, he can not
swim!
hooligon tribe.I think Cressida Cowell chooses realy funny names for the
carechtors in her books,I espesialy like the name Fishlegs, he can not
swim!
October 2, 2011
This series is so funny! We're reading it to our almost 6 year old daughter & I would read these even if I didn't have a kid. Hilarious stuff.
March 25, 2025
listened to this on a long car ride to and from San Fran and it was the only thing tethering me to reality. god bless david tennant and his funky little character voices
October 4, 2021
My son and I read the first 10 books of the How to Train Your Dragon series during our 7 weeks of lockdown, as part of our family bookclub. This involves alternating reading to each other on a daily basis followed by a discussion of what we read. We also watched all the movies and the series inspired by this book.
The series is very, very different from the movies and TV series that it inspired. That is not a bad thing - it makes the read more exciting and captivating. The wit and humour in this series, had us in tears with laughter. Cressida Cowell knows exactly what type of humour appeals to young readers, and therefore by extension to parents of said young readers.
As the series progresses, the books become more serious and tackle issues such as mankind's impact on the natural environment, the easy way versus the right thing, and how to be strong and true to yourself in the face of cruelty and adversity. Every single one of the books promotes resilience, patience, humility, compassion and kindness.
We loved the entire series and if there's ever a series that you should read, together with your young reader, this is it.
(This review is written in collaboration with my 9 year old.)
The series is very, very different from the movies and TV series that it inspired. That is not a bad thing - it makes the read more exciting and captivating. The wit and humour in this series, had us in tears with laughter. Cressida Cowell knows exactly what type of humour appeals to young readers, and therefore by extension to parents of said young readers.
As the series progresses, the books become more serious and tackle issues such as mankind's impact on the natural environment, the easy way versus the right thing, and how to be strong and true to yourself in the face of cruelty and adversity. Every single one of the books promotes resilience, patience, humility, compassion and kindness.
We loved the entire series and if there's ever a series that you should read, together with your young reader, this is it.
(This review is written in collaboration with my 9 year old.)
Read
January 4, 2020Great books. Really interesting.
November 9, 2021
Love it! I'm amazed at the author's imagination. My son is hooked
May 14, 2012
This series of books are recommended for children who wants entertainment from reading books. These books are all about Hiccup, a Viking, who wants to hunt for dragons and fought them. But instead of hunting them, he became friends with them. He teaches dragon many things and they became buddies with him.
October 15, 2015
This series is funny and exciting to read, with a lot of humorous doodles. It conveys the idea of courage, bravery, friendship and self-confidence. But same as many other series, it is kind of flattened out as the story goes on...
May 24, 2011
I love Hiccup!!!
August 20, 2011
stories are very different from the movie, but also very cute. fun read-alouds - C & I have gone thru the whole series as bedtime reads.
August 21, 2011
I love every single one of these books!!! But my fav. has to be
how to ride a dragon's storm!!!!! =D
how to ride a dragon's storm!!!!! =D
August 22, 2011
Funny and action packed yay!
December 13, 2013
they were all great books but after a while the writer ran out of ideas
April 22, 2014
Great series.
September 18, 2014
LOVE THIS SERIES!!
November 11, 2014
Very good. Funny and silly, yet making sense.
May 17, 2015
These books are fun to read I like them they are adventurous and funny but there are better
April 25, 2016
this was a fun amazing time reading these books
November 8, 2020
Love the movies and the show, I didn’t like this book at all. Or maybe I’m biased because I watched the show first.
November 19, 2021
Utterly DELIGHTFUL
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews