Three Little Vikings

The Viking men have returned with treasure and they are all busy celebrating their spoils. All, that is, except for three Viking girls who are playing and hear a strange noise from outside. When they run to tell the chieftain that they think there is a monster outside, he says "Nonsense...I know that is just a thunderstorm...and I know best!" This is the same response they receive each time they come to the chieftain for help: when the town has been destroyed; when the trees mysteriously fall in the woods; when the Vikings' newly acquired treasure disappears. They realize that their monster is actually a troll, and that it is up to them to make a plan that will save their town. This Nordic fairy-tale with a feminist twist promotes how sometimes the smallest voices have the most important ideas. Bright blues, yellows, and greens provide disarming contrast to snow-covered paths and the dark shadows caused by a menacing troll. Although the story line follows a predictable pattern, making it well-suited for reading out loud, children will need some background on trolls, specifically their biggest weakness, to understand the conclusion to the story. In general, more information on the setting could bring more meaning to a sweet story with a message of female empowerment. VERDICT An additional purchase for larger picture book collections.—Louie Lauer