Do you have a little Viking in your family? Maybe you simply would like to introduce Norse Mythology to the little ones in your home. Luckily, nowadays there are books for everything you can imagine and there is no shortage of beautifully illustrated Norse mythology books for kids that will capture their attention and make their imagination fly for hours (and most likely, you will love these books as much as they do!)
Norse Mythology Books for Kids by Age Level
To make it a bit more convenient, I have organised this selection of Norse Mythology books for kids by age, starting with those for the youngest ones up until 16 years old.
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Viking Coloring Book for Kids
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years old
This isn’t exactly a book with legends and Viking stories, but it is a great starting point to introduce the characters of different Viking myths and a little bit of their History to the youngest ones in the family.
They will start to get familiar with Viking legends while having fun!
D’Aulaires’ Book Of Norse Myths
Recommended Ages: 6-9 years old
Initially published in 1967, this book is an old classic to initiate your kid in the magical worlds of the Norse myths. These two famous storytellers cover the basic Viking myths in a concise, yet comprehensive way and the little ones will be quite entertained with the illustrations.
You can see little tints of their Christian beliefs though, but nothing that would compromise the overall fidelity of the tales.
Norse Mythology for Kids: Tales of Gods, Creatures, and Quests
Recommended Ages: 7-12 years old
My favourite book for a kid without a doubt! Not only the illustrations are gorgeous, but it is very well documented. Its author, Mathias Nordvig, has a PhD in Norse mythology, so you can expect high-quality material in this book!
It even includes a little glossary at the end, so your child can learn how to pronounce the names and essential terms properly.
A Child’s Introduction to Norse Mythology
Recommended Ages: 8-12 years old
Another great option to teach Norse myths to your children. This book is divided into two sections: first, we get to know the different gods and goddesses of Scandinavian folklore and in part two, we have a collection of myths including the creation of cosmos or how Thor got his magical hammer.
Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki
Recommended Ages: 9-16 years old
This one is for older kids, but the style of the illustrations is stunning and very original, very suitable for those fond of comic books. The tales themselves are written in an easy and entertaining way, so it’s perfect for a little reading session before bedtime.
It also includes less-popular Norse myths, so it’s a great addition for those who want to learn more.
Myths of the Norsemen
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
A collection of the great Norse sagas written by Michelle Paver. We start with the birth of the Tree of life, up until Ragnarok, covering the basic myths along the way.
It includes a guide about each character and even some activities at the end.
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
This book has gotten very famous in the past years and although it is more suitable for teenagers and adults since it doesn’t have as many illustrations as the books mentioned before, it is still written in a way that kids will find enjoyable. If you have a younger kid, this is a great resource for nighttime stories and to read out loud to them.
It is also available as an audiobook narrated by Neil Gaiman himself, so you can play it on your way to school, during a road trip or even play it for yourself on your way to work!
Short Viking Stories for Kids: Free Online Resources
Sometimes you may just need a quick story in a pinch or you prefer to teach your kid in another format. Don’t worry, the Internet is a wonderful place full of free knowledge even for little children, I’ve got you covered!
The BBC’s Viking Sagas Series
Yes, you read it right! The actual BBC has an animated series for children between 7 to 11 years old. It has short stories and a little introduction to each character, it’s simply brilliant! Click here to explore »
Another great resource, full of short stories in written format as well as audio, which makes it very convenient. Click here to explore »
Here you will find more about the history of Vikings than Norse mythology alone, but their activity sheets are a great way for kids to expand their knowledge about this culture. Click here to explore »
And last but not least…
I hope you enjoyed this list (and the kids in your life too!) and that you found it useful. These books will surely make a very special birthday or Yule gift for children while teaching them further about this long-gone civilization.
Now it’s your turn! Do you want to learn more about the Norse culture? Then check out our other blog posts, where you can learn about the Viking calendar, two famous Icelandic symbols or how to make your own rune set.