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How to Train Your Dragon 01 - How to Train Your Dragon

In this riotous paper-over-board farce, the timid protagonist from Cowell's picture book Hiccup: The Seasick Viking
proves himself worthy of the sobriquet "Hope and Heir to the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans." The protagonist is also
given author credit (as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III), with Cowell billed as translator "from the Old Norse."
Indeed, "Hiccup" contributes an introductory note: "I was not the sort of boy who could train a dragon with a mere
lifting of an eyebrow. I was not a natural at the Heroism business. I had to work at it. This is the story of becoming a
Hero the Hard Way." From his initial challenge—Hiccup and his fellow warriors-in-training must each pluck a
dragon from a "Dragon Nursery" where 3,000 young critters are hibernating—the likable lad faces a host of hurdles
and beats tremendous odds to emerge triumphant. After selecting a tiny, toothless dragon ("I shall call [my dragon]
Fireworm," says nemesis Snotface Snotlout. "What are you going to call yours, Hiccup? Sweetums? Sugarlips?
Babyface?"). Hiccup tackles the chore of training the stubborn creature, which leads to some fresh, funny dialogue
between the two (Hiccup has the rare ability to speak "Dragonese"). A rollicking finale finds the duo rescuing
Vikings from a ravenous, mountain-size dragon. Short chapters, clever slapstick, kid-pleasing character names (e.g.,
Fishlegs, Dogsbreath the Duhbrain) and goofy, childlike drawings will keep even reluctant readers turning these
pages—and chuckling as they go.
Young Hiccup may be the son of Stoick the Vast, chief of the Hairy Hooligans, but he isn't exactly heroic Viking
material. When he and the other boys of his tribe are sent on a mission to fetch dragons to train, Hiccup comes back
with the scrawniest creature ever seen. Toothless, as Hiccup names him, is also rude, lazy, and greedy, but when the
tribe is faced with horrible danger, Hiccup's unorthodox dragon-training techniques prove successful and he and his
unique beast become true heroes. Sprinkled throughout with funny sketches, scribbles, and ink blots, this is a goofy
and exciting tale of an underdog who proves that brains can be just as important as brawn. Kids will hoot at the
ridiculous names and sympathize with Hiccup's exasperation with his truly obstinate but strangely lovable dragon. A
delightful read that fans of Ian Whybrow's "Little Wolf" series (Carolrhoda) will particularly enjoy.

How to Train Your Dragon 02 - How to Be a Pirate

The sequel to How to Train Your Dragon (Little, Brown, 2004) continues the adventures of the son of Stoick the
Vast and future leader of the Hairy Hooligan Viking tribe. Although the skinny, freckled Hiccup has more brains
than the rest of the Hairy Hooligans put together, he has a hard time garnering respect from anyone, least of all his
arch-rival, Snotlout. It doesn't help that Hiccup's dragon, Toothless, is predisposed to hypochondria and cowardice.
During a pirate-training session, them meet up with charming "Alvin the Poor-But-Honest-Farmer," who is keen to
help them discover the legendary treasure of Grimbeard the Ghastly. After a series of hair-raising, humorous
escapades on the high seas, a deadly island, and an undersea cavern, Hiccup learns some surprising things about his
previously undervalued abilities. The usual motifs of deceptive appearances, last-minute escapes, and the merits of
inner worth are addressed with humor that is accessible to both reluctant and avid readers. Cheeky drawings in the
style of grade-school doodles add to the general appeal of the tale.

How to Train Your Dragon 03 - How to Speak Dragonese

The misfit hero of How to Be a Pirate (Little, Brown, 2005) returns in another Viking tall tale. Chief's son Hiccup
Horrendous Haddock III, his friend Fishlegs, and his cranky dragon, Toothless, get separated from their class during
Boarding-An-Enemy-Ship practice. The peaceful fishing boat they are supposed to attack turns out to be a prowling
Roman galley, crewed by some of the Empire's least-distinguished legions. The invaders are plotting to provoke war
among the Viking factions by kidnapping the heirs of Hiccup's own Happy Hooligans and the Amazonian Bog-
Burglar tribe. Then, while the locals are occupied, the Romans plan to make off with the entire dragon population of
the islands. With the help of Bog-Burglar girl warrior Camicazi and the bumblebee-sized dragon Ziggerastica, the
boys must find a way to counter the treacherous plan before they all end up facing combat to the death in the local
arena. There is a lot of raucous humor and mock-heroic dialogue; ridiculous names add to the fun. The theme of
brains over brawn is well defined. Warriors, Roman and Viking alike, are loud-mouthed, bullying braggarts, easy
targets for clever, scrawny Hiccup. The sketchy, childlike black-and-white cartoon drawings are amusing but
occasionally indistinct. Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio books (Viking), for slightly younger readers, have a sharper,
more literate sense of twisted history, but the broad humor of Hiccup's misadventures will appeal to reluctant readers.
How to Train Your Dragon 04 - How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse

Cowell is getting a great deal of mileage from her pseudomemoirs of the delightfully alliterative Viking. She
retains her touch in this latest volume, which relates Hiccup's quest to find the Vegetable-That-No-One-Dares-
Name, namely a potato that is the only thing that can prevent his friend Fishlegs from dying of Vorpentitis. The
potato, you see, is an imaginary vegetable that comes from a place that doesn't really exist: America. When
Hiccup realizes that he has only until 10 o'clock the next morning to find the mythical vegetable, it is a race
against time and against the wishes of his father. It also requires traveling with the charming bog-burglar Cam-
icazi, breaking into the headquarters of Norbert the Nutjob and his Hysteric tribe, and stealing the frozen potato
while they sleep, all the while trying to avoid a fearsome sea predator. The result is an irresistible concoction.
As with all the Hiccup books, this one is full of amusing illustrations, clever design that includes inkblots
scattered throughout the pages, and an occasional explanation of hibernating dragons and venomous vorpents.
This action-filled and compelling story will draw readers along. It's a must for libraries that have the previous
books in this series, which is probably most.

How to Train Your Dragon 05 - How to Twist a Dragon's Tale

Reluctant hero Hiccup is back in the fifth installment of his hilarious misadventures. Someone has stolen the
Fire-Stone. Now the volcano on Volcano Island has become active and the tremors are hatching the eggs of the
Exterminator dragons! Can Hiccup return the Fire-Stone to the Volcano, stop the Volcano from erupting, and
save the Tribes from being wiped out by the terrible sword-claws of the Exterminators? A fast paced plot,
slapstick humor, witty dialogue and imaginative black and white illustrations enhance this exciting tale.

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