Thorfinn the Nicest Viking & the Awful Invasion (Book 1 in the Series)

by David MacPhail; Illustrated by Richard Morgan

• Thorfinn, The Nicest Viking is a funny and fearsome new series for young readers who love Horrid Henry and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, set in a world where manners mean nothing and politeness is pointless!
• David Macphail takes readers on a hilarious journey filled with gruesome Viking heroes, adventurous battles -- and a polite young Viking who would rather be at home with a mug of pinecone tea!
• Each page is illustrated with hilarious sketches by Richard Morgan

Thorfinn is a nice, polite young Viking. How will he survive a voyage to Scotland with a bunch of marauding adventurers?

Prepare yourself for the wrath of the Norsemen! That is, if you don't mind and it's not too inconvenient...

Everyone knows Vikings are ruthless barbarians whose idea of a good time involves pillaging, plundering and feasting. But Thorfinn is no ordinary Viking! He is always polite and happily offers to wash the dirty dishes. Too bad his dad is Harald the Skull-Splitter, Village Chief and the roughest and toughest Viking of them all.

Tired of Thorfinn and his too-nice ways getting them into trouble, his dad decides it's time for Thorfinn to earn his gruesome Viking name. Stuck on a longboat with a ragtag bunch of adventurers who'd like to throw him overboard, how will the Nicest Viking cope with a dangerous voyage to Scotland?

Thorfinn the Nicest Viking is a funny, illustrated, action-packed new series for young readers which bridges the gap between Horrid Henry and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, set in a world where manners mean nothing and politeness is pointless!

Recommended by the publisher for ages 6-9 yrs.

Softcover, 136 pages. 197 x 158 mm. With 50 black and white illustrations.

Floris Books, 2015.

About the Author

David MacPhail left home at eighteen to travel the world and have adventures. After working as a chicken wrangler, a ghost-tour guide and a waiter on a tropical island, he now has the sensible job of writing about yetis and Vikings. At home in Perthshire, Scotland, he exists on a diet of cream buns and zombie movies. David is also the author of Yeti on the Loose and the Thorfinn the Nicest Viking series.

Richard Morgan was born and raised by goblins on the Yorkshire moors. He has painted backgrounds for Disney TV and now writes and illustrates children's books. He lives in Cambridge, England, and has a family of goblins of his own.

Reviews

'Thorfinn comes from a long line of ferocious, rampaging Vikings... But Thorfinn is a peace-loving, tea-drinking, jam-making thoroughly nice Viking... the first in a series by David MacPhail for newly fluent readers. The short, funny story is enhanced with illustrations by Richard Morgan.'
-- Jane Sandell, The Scotsman

'...delightful and truly funny brand new series.'
-- lovereading4kids

'A thrilling novel. The best I've read. My mum couldn't believe I read it in one day.'
-- George Daniels, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'I think this book is best for learners and children who like adventurous stories... I would give it 5 stars.'
-- Phoenix Williams, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'Thorfinn really is the nicest Viking ever!... Really great story with good humour.'
-- Tomasz Hawryszczuk, age 10, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'A slight twist on your usual Viking story, kept me on my toes.'
-- Oliver Lonsdale, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'I really really enjoyed this book. Thorfinn the napkin folder is a hero and the book is hilarious. I also liked the extras at the end of the book.'
-- Harry Gray, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'Great book for learning about Vikings!'
-- Connor Lobban, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'A really funny book, I loved this!'
-- Luke Killen, age 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'Funny, funny, funny...'
-- Hermione Chaytors, age 6, for lovereading4kids.co.uk

'The story cracks along at a good pace accompanied by humorous black and white drawings... This is a highly entertaining book celebrating difference that will delight newly confident readers.'
-- SLA (School Libray Association)

'Luca shares that both boys and girls would like this story and says, ''It's the humor that makes the book!'' '
-- Read Brightly