VIKING RESOURCES

VIKING RESOURCES
for our Viking Archaeological Dig in October!

The following is a list of books and websites that may be of interest to you and your family as you prepare to attend Archaeology Camp, or for further research after the camp. The camp will focus on the Vikings in Denmark around 1100. Authorship of this is unclear as so many have given their time & effort to it. Thanks especially to Maryann, Lorna and Robin.

“The main things that kids could bring with them to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the camp have to do with the broad subjects of geography and history (I'll provide the archaeology). I mean, they should know about the continents and the seven seas, that the "Vikings" originated in Northern Europe, and that we know about them mostly because of what was written down about them, either in sagas, on stone monuments, or in the annals of the peoples they raided.”
- Geof Purcell, The Archaeological Perspective
(excerpt from private email, September 2006)

Our Homeschool resources:

If I were to choose only one book on the Vikings, it would be:

"The Usborne Time Traveler - Viking Raiders."

It's not the best book on the topic, but it's bright and colorful, and packs a lot of information into a brief 32 pages. If you use Sonlight curriculum, you may already have this book, as it was pulled from the larger book "The Usborne Time Traveler" (The older version was "The Usborne Time Travellers Omnibus.") (You may need to search with "travelers" and "travellers," as different spellings were used for different editions.) The Time Traveler book is used in the current Sonlight Core 2 curriculum, and was also used in the old Sonlight Core 1 - Four Civilizations program.

A local Usborne representative recommended these titles: (Please follow the instructions on this link if you want Lorna to fund raise for reducing the cost of future homeschooler archaeological digs for those parents on a tight budget.)
• Who were the Vikings?
• Viking World
• Vikings
• Greek and Norse Legends

• Encyclopedia of World History
• Timelines of World History
• Ancient World
• Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
• The Story of Ships

If you need to contact Jessica, her telephone number is 973-706-8613, and her email address is jjromeo_76@yahoo.com

(non_Osborne) favorite stories:
• Leif the Lucky by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire -- The Amazon.com listing for this book describes it as follows: “Considered by some children's book authorities to be the d'Aulaire's finest works, this biography of Leif Erickson, son of Eric the Red, best exemplifies the artist's skill in Norwegian folk art, style, and history. Their well-researched text is lavishly illustrated with Viking rune-like carvings, from the dragon prow of the ship that Leif must hurry to remove, lest it anger the spirits of the land, to the stave churches so unique to Norway. Landscapes depict emerald green fjords against floes of ice and mountains of snow. The grand halls of King Olav Trygvason are ornamented with carvings of Nordic mythical creatures while tame polar bear cubs romp and play. In this setting the young Leif grows to manhood and learns the skills of navigation, sailing his own ship when just a teen from Greenland to Norway. It is on his return journey that he discovers a new land we now know to be Newfoundland. Later he sends settlers there, eventually establishing a colony. His tale is aptly and authentically told in the d'Aulaires's inimitable style. 56 pages”

• D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths by Ingri D'Aulaire, Edgar Parin D'Aulaire, and Michael Chabon – Highly recommended. The description from Amazon.com says: “The Caldecott medal-winning d'Aulaires once again captivate their young audience with this beautifully illustrated introduction to Norse legends, telling stories of Odin the All-father, Thor the Thunder-god and the theft of his hammer, Loki the mischievous god of the Jotun Race, and Ragnarokk, the destiny of the gods. Children meet Bragi, the god of poetry, and the famous Valkyrie maidens, among other gods, goddesses, heroes, and giants. Illustrations throughout depict the wondrous other world of Norse folklore and its fantastical Northern landscape.”

• Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky (Adventures in the New World) by Barbara Schiller and Hal Frenck -- This is a short, 43 page biographical account of the lives of Eric the Red and Leif Erikson and tells of Leif Erikson's discovery of North America. It is used in the current Sonlight Core 2 curriculum, and perhaps the old Sonlight Four Civilizations Core 1 curriculum. It's a nice read-aloud for grades K and up, and appears to be written at a 3rd grade reading level.

• Viking It and Liking It by Jon Scieszka (Time Warp Trio Book)

• Leif's Saga: A Viking Tale by Jonathan Hunt -- Amazon.com suggests this book for ages 4-8. 40 pages. Fictionalized account of Leif Eiriksson's famed journey to North America, set in a story-within-a-story framework. Sigrid, a Viking girl, visits her father as he works on his knorr, a small, sturdy ship. He tells her of Eriksson's childhood in Greenland and of his voyages to Helluland, Markland, and Vinland, ending with a description of the oak logs he brought back to Greenland, which were the very logs Sigrid's father is using to build his boat.

• The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum, illustrations by Willy Pogany. A collection of Norse myths and legends, featuring gods such as Odin and Thor, as retold by Padraic Colum

• Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff -- This is a swashbuckling story of a young Viking swordsman banished from his home for a murder he didn't intend to commit. Sixteen-year-old Bjarni Sigurdson is banished from his settlement for five years, so he hires himself out as a swordsman. He finds adventure during his travels as he proves his worth. The story starts out in Rafnglas, a Viking settlement in part of present-day England. When Bjarni becomes a swordsman-for-hire, he first heads out to Dublin, then attaches himself to various Viking leaders whose raids take him to various locales in the islands west of Scotland. Bjarni’s adventures and near-fatal sea fights make him a man, and he returns to Rafnglas after five years, with a bride, ready for his land-take. 288 pages. Intended for ages 10 and up.

• Favorite Norse Myths by Mary Pope Osborne and Troy Howell -- 14 stories. The reading level is for ages 9-12, but can work as a read-aloud to younger children.

• The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow (Living History Library) by Allen French(YA) - This book is also available on CD, and follows the story of Rolf, a young bowman in eleventh-century Iceland, as he faces many dangers as he tries to bring to justice the men responsible for his father's death. 240 pages. Listed as a Young Adult title on Amazon.com

• three-time Newberry winner: The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

Non-fiction books about the Norse/Vikings:

• Everyday life in Viking times (Clues to the Past) by Hazel Martell (grades 3 – 5)

• Life on a Viking Ship (Picture the Past) by Jane Shuter (?ages 4 – 8?)

• Life in a Viking Town (Picture the Past) by Jane Shuter (?ages 4 – 8?)

• Viking Empires by Angelo Forte

• The Vikings by John D. Clare, ed. (Living History Series) The illustrations in this book are photos of European Viking reenactment groups, as well as recreations of actual Viking artifacts.

• Viking by Susan Margeson (Eyewitness Books Series) The illustrations in this book are photos of European Viking reenactment groups, as well as recreations of actual Viking artifacts as well as a few very nice, close up, and detailed pictures of weapons and other items.

• Norse Gods and Heroes by Morgan J. Roberts (Myths of the World Series) The illustrations are a mix of photos of Viking artifacts and prints/woodcuts from Romantic art depicting the Norse gods and myths.

• First Facts about the Vikings by Jacqueline Morley -- a nice little reference book

• The Real Vikings (National Geographic) by Melvin & Gilda Berger

• Food & Feasts with the Vikings by Hazel Mary Martell – Includes some recipes in back. We tried pork & leek soup.

• Growing up with the Vikings by Amanda Purves – Published in 1978, we have learned more about Vikings since this book was published, but it has lots of photos of artifacts and pictures.

• Early life in Viking Times (Clues to the past) by Hazel Mary Martell -- This is an older book, with fewer pictures than many of the other recommended books

• The Vikings (History as Evidence) by Hazel Mary Martell

• Viking News: the Greatest Newspaper in Civilization (History News Series) by Rachel Wright -- This colorful and kid-friendly book is structured similarly to the other books in the series, like The Aztec News and The Greek News. It is a book, but is designed to be read as though it were a daily newspaper from the time period, and it presents history and facts about Viking and Stone Age life. It includes a variety of articles and columns, and even has classified advertisements. Much of the content is intended to be funny, so this isn't exactly a serious history book, but it does contain a surprising amount of solid information and is fun and different way for children to learn about the Vikings. Amazon.com recommends this book for reading level ages 9-12, but since it is only 32 pages long, it could also work as a read-aloud for children who are a bit younger.

Fun and Silly Books with a Viking "feel" to them. They are great fun for the younger set, and even the older kids may enjoy them (even if they won't admit it!)

• How to Train Your Dragon (Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III) by Cressida Cowell (Reading Level: ages 9 - 12)
• Hiccup the Viking Who Was Seasick by Cressida Cowell (Reading Level: ages 4 - 8)
• Hiccup The Seasick Viking by Cressida Cowell (Reading Level: ages 4 - 8) -- I believe this book was also published as "Hiccup, the Viking Who Was Seasick."
• How to Train Your Viking, by Toothless by Cressida Cowell
• How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell -- Recommended for grades 3-5.

Viking Coloring Books
Geared toward older children and adults, but may be interesting for all ages.

• Myths and Legends of the Vikings by John Lindow -- This coloring book from Bellerophon Books contains line drawings of Viking Age art and artifacts, carefully selected to accompany the brief text retellings of the Norse myths by a noted scholar of the Viking Age.

• Story of the Vikings Coloring Book by A.G. Smith -- This coloring book is from Dover Publications and the illustrations are line drawings adapted from Romantic Revival paintings and book illustrations, rather than actual Viking Age art and artifacts, and the scenes illustrated are mostly of warriors, warfare, and similar subjects.

• Viking Designs by A.G. Smith -- Another Dover publication, this book includes line drawings of Viking art and artifacts.
There are several Viking-related books that are available online, in their entirety. Here are a few options:

• Stories of the Vikings by Mary MacGregor http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=macgregor&book=vikings&story=_contents (Perhaps especially the chapters on “The Vikings At Home”
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=macgregor&book=vikings&story=home and “Viking Beliefs”
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=macgregor&book=vikings&story=beliefs )

• The Discovery of New Worlds by M. B. Synge (chapter “The Hardy Northmen”
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=discovery&story=hardy and “How the Northmen Conquered England”
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=discovery&story=conquer )

• Eyewitness to History: The Vikings Discover America, ca. 1,000 http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/vikings.htm

• This country of ours; the story of the United States by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (1876-) New York, George H. Doran company, 1917. CHAPTER 1
HOW THE VIKINGS OF OLD SOUGHT AND FOUND NEW LANDS http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/marshall/country/country-I-1.html

Other websites and videos that may be of interest to you:

• A fun website, used in the WinterPromise American Story 1 curriculum, is: http://bbc.co.uk/history/forkids . Click on the Viking and you can explore a Viking village, write a message in Runes on a rune stone, experience a day in the life of a Viking, and play, "Thorkel and the Trading Ship."

• An interesting video selection, also used in WinterPromise American Story 1, is entitled, The Barbarians: The Vikings . This video traces the plunderings and explorations of the Vikings. It shows how Vikings reached Greenland and North America, and even how Christianity affected Viking society.

• The Teaching Company’s High School Level—World History: The Fertile Crescent To The American Revolution has one “chapter” on Vikings, and they offer a Vikings course that is on sale in late August & early September! (Either should be available from some public libraries, check with your own county first) The Viking course description online may help provide some background for parents.

• Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga -- http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings/ and http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings/start.html
• PBS – includes link to ½ hour video on Viking village -- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/
• PBS suggested links: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/resources.html
• Viking 1000 – voyage reenactment – includes an online game --http://www.dougcabot.com/viking%20voyage.html
• Viking Longboat Craft Project -- This is a crafts-related website, and there is a fun and not-too-complex project for creating a Viking Longboat: www.craftsforkids.com/projects/viking_longboat.htm

• Viking Longboat Made from ice Cream Sticks -- This is nothing earthshaking, but is a fun article about the launch of a Viking longboat that was crafted from 15 million popsicle sticks: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4157182.stm

• Someone’s 5th grade Viking study, includes a list of links/resources -- http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/vikings.htm

Runes:
• http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/v_runes.htm
• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html
• PBS: Write Your Name in Runes
• American Museum of Natural History: Write Your Name in Runes

K12 has a sample 2nd grade lesson on Vikings: http://www.k12.com/curriculum/sample_lessons.html

Another Viking reading list to check: http://www.higgins.org/Programs/vikingreadinglist.pdf

A ton of Viking links are here! -- http://www.hotland.com/vikings/

Another link to all sorts of interesting Viking information: http://www.vikinganswerlady.com

If you are interested in medieval arms, armor, or medieval warfare, this website contains information that may be of interest. PLEASE NOTE: The Viking materials are interspersed with other information, and this is a site that that parents should probably explore for useful information, rather than allowing young children to browse on their own. This particular page is nothing more than a book list, but I haven't had time to review the entire site, and since its focus is on arms, armor, and warfare, I thought it best to post a little word of warning about the possibility of unsuitable content. (Everything may be fine, but I wouldn't take the chance without reviewing it first!) Association for Renaissance Martial Arts --http://www.thearma.org/MedievalList.htm

Miscellaneous "Stuff" about the Vikings:
• Treasure Chests: The Vikings An interactive kit that includes a paperback guide, Viking clay runes, a Viking game called hnefatfl, and a cardboard model to put together. Open the secret drawer to find maps, stickers and cards that demonstrate how to dress like a Viking, illustrate the Viking territory, and show the hierarchy of gods and goddesses. Comes with lock and key. Recommended for ages 8-12.

• Giant's Cauldron Viking Myths Odds Bodkin will entrance you with his thunderous voice and 12-string guitar. Get swept up in Norse mythology as this talented storyteller brings characters such as Thor the Thunderer & Odin the Allfather to life. Available on cassette; Approx. 1 hour in length.

• Websites with Viking Clip Art: http://www.osterholm.info/vikings/ and http://classroomclipart.com/cgi-bin/kids/imageFolio.cgi?direct=History/Vikings