Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Illus. by Jeffrey Alan Love

Through movies like Thor and Thor Ragnarok, and the television series Loki many of our emerging readers are familiar with and interested in the gods of Norse mythology (whose names are remembered in our days of the week). And while there are many online resources discussing and debating the similarities and differences between the legends and their screen interpretations - indeed between the modern and ancient stories themselves - nevertheless, interest is high and this book is the ideal way to capitalise on that.

The author of this collection, Kevin Crossley-Holland is viewed by the likes of Neil Gaiman as being an expert in translating and retelling these tales of old, having translated Beowulf from the Anglo-Saxon and his stories of King Arthur have been translated into twenty-five languages.

These stories tell of Odin, with his one eye (the other in order to see everything that happens in the world), who is the god of both war and death and the ruler of Valhalla, a place of near-perpetual food, drink, pleasure, and battle where fallen warriors go in the afterlife; his son Thor who, with his mighty hammer Mjölnir is the god of thunder and lightning; and Loki the god of mischief, trickery, and deception.

With its dramatic illustrations, this is one for independent readers with an interest in the stories behind the stories, ancient myths and legends, the Vikings themselves, even those from the north of the UK whose past ties with Scandinavian countries are strong. A dip-and-delve book, it would be an excellent one to share in those odd moments when a good story that will captivate even the most rambunctious boys is required.

Themes: Norse legends, Gods and goddesses, Icelandic myths.

Barbara Braxton