How To Train Your Dragon

Story

Hiccup, son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans, must capture and train a dragon so that he can join the Viking tribe. The other novices are using strength not brains. Can Hiccup find a new solution and save the tribe from the impending danger of the Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus?

Why we chose it

How to Train Your Dragon is a funny and original Viking adventure that has helped to transform many 9 to 11 year olds into readers. Young Hiccup eventually learns that brains (and courage and loyalty) can triumph over brawn in this sweet and thoughtful story about learning to be a hero. Cowell’s quirky drawings add a final flourish.

Where it came from

Cressida Cowell is the current Children’s Laureate (2019-22) and has sold over 11 million books in 38 languages. She spent parts of her childhood living on a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland. There was no television or telephone or electricity so she spent much of her time drawing and writing stories about Vikings and dragons. Vikings had come to the island and she and her siblings would look for dragons in the caves. Cowell studied English at Oxford, art in London and illustration in Brighton before becoming an author.

Where it went next

There are twelve books in the How to Train Your Dragon series. These were adapted by DreamWorks Animation to create three films and a television series. All were released as audio books, narrated by David Tennant, and there is a video game in which players can create their own dragons and fight through increasing levels of difficulty.

Associated stories

The How To Train your Dragon series includes How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse, How to Break a Dragon’s Heart and How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury.

Other books by Cressida Cowell include The Wizards of Once series and the Emily Brown picture books.

In the museum find the photograph of Cressida Cowell as Peter Pan from The Story Museum’s 26 Characters exhibition.