When this first arrived, aside from the fact that I was totally blown away by the gorgeous, shiny gold dust jacket, I thought – what the…? 20 years?? surely not! But then I stopped and realised that The Kid was five years old when the movie came out, and she, along with her mum and I, fell in love with Toothless. I already knew that the book was brilliant, but the movie adaptation elevated the fandom beyond anything up to that point. I am even surprised to realise that my review of the final, #12, in the series was written 8 years ago!
And so now here we are, twenty years and seven million copies (of the series) worldwide later. How absolutely marvellous it is to re-visit Hiccup and the band of extraordinary (and somewhat crackerbarrel) Vikings with the bonus of a new story to boot – and an epilogue that actually made me feel teary.
Because Cressida’s books are like that. They are often wacky, and exceedingly humorous but there is also, so often, tenderness or wisdom that only those of calcified heart could fail to be moved by. And of course, Cressida’s iconic and idiosyncratic illustrations are completely unmistakable, and add so very much to the text.
These are, rightly so, regarded as modern classics. I’ve gone on to love every single one of Cressida’s books, and her assortment of (regularly misfit!) characters and circumstances.
I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Cressida for not only giving children everywhere ,Hiccup, Toothless and all the crew, but also for the extreme pleasure she gave to The Kid, when she was known as Small, and her mum, before we lost her forever, and the joy The Kid continues to have in these stories.
Thank heavens, I had saved her dragons which used to regularly feature in her imaginative play before she was ready for more social interactions – they were her friends before humans were.
I don’t need to ‘sell’ this at all. You will want it for your collection, whether library or personal, and if you have been a fan for twenty years and own them all, you will still want this special and glittery addition. And just think – now you will have an entire new generation with whom to share the joy. I think this one will be one of the few that remain on my own shelf.
“However treacherous the path may be through the heather, however difficult it is for you to say what needs to be said, however small and helpless and unimportant you may look, you always have to fight with your heart and your hands and your head, for what you believe to be right.
For when the world needs a Hero…..It might as well be YOU.
She got up early one morning and drew Toothless as a surprise for me 2014Small pretending to be Toothless the Night Fury (throwing down a bit of smoked salmon) 2015No, I’ll never get rid of her dragons ..
[…] you read my review of the 20th anniversary edition of How to Train Your Dragon you will know how this series holds a special place in my heart, and will forever. So it’s […]
Just So Stories 
Leave a comment