How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon, 1)

If you're expecting this to be anything at all like the movie you'll be in for a big surprise! It's NOTHING like the movie, except that there's vikings and there's dragons. That's pretty much where the likeness stops. Toothless is a whiny selfish dragon who messes everything up and causes nothing but trouble for Hiccup.

This is, as the title implies, a review of the audiobook version read by David Tennant. I'd like to start first off with massive kudos for Tennant, who does a wonderful job reading this. He roars when the characters roar; his voice for the enemy dragon sounds like Smaug; he gives characters distinctive voices and cadences; he pronounces even rather difficult bits smoothly. The one caveat I will say is that sometimes he gets a little quiet, so this probably isn't the best for car rides unless you really raise the volume. Tennant, for those who don't know, has a Scottish accent but one that is highly intelligible and his diction is good.

The book itself is also thoroughly enjoyable. I, like many people, saw the film first. Although the book has some instances that are slightly familiar to one who's seen the film, it's really its own story (although no less good for that, and more original in some ways).

Hiccup is the son of the chief in a Viking tribe that values bravery and heroism over all else. Although Hiccup is indeed brave, he isn't extraordinary at anything. All the children in the tribe have to train a dragon to become full members, and to train a dragon, you have to yell really loudly. Unfortunately, Hiccup isn't a good yeller -- which means he has to train his dragon (and become a hero) the hard way.

I recommend How to Train Your Dragon to anyone who likes L. Frank Baum, Vivian Vande Velde, or Roald Dahl.

Great humor

These books are very funny and high interest. They enticed my son to read, which is difficult to do, and I loved them too. When my son begs to buy a book, I know I have found a winner!