Stowing Away with the Vikings

Twins Josh and Emma Binkerton swore they'd never return to the Good Times Travel Agency. Only now, a terrible storm has driven them and their little sister, Libby, right through its doors. Worse, Libby's opened another of Julian T. Pettigrew's guidebooks, and the Binkertons find themselves hurtling back in time --- to the Viking Age. All seems fine, at first, as the children are welcomed by the locals. But they quickly realize that Viking life is not for the faint of heart: it involves beds made of earth, monotonous farm work and death-defying sports. And when Josh and Libby inadvertently stow away on a Viking ship headed for a raid, it suddenly turns perilous! Can the Binkertons finish the guidebook and travel back to the present before it's too late?

Part of the award-winning Time Travel Guides series from the talented Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin, this thrilling graphic novel combines fact and fiction to make learning about the past fun. It employs a fast-paced narrative that's quirky and funny, and colorful, detailed illustrations to create an engaging and accessible overview of the Viking Age. Key facts, vetted by experts, are cleverly embedded in the story through the guidebook. This title makes an excellent resource for social studies and history lessons on the period, covering politics and government, travel and trade, education, celebrations and more. The back of the book contains a short history of the Vikings, including a map, as well as a bibliography, further resources and an index. 

Genres: Juvenile Graphic Novels / Picture Books

Author: Linda Bailey

Paperback, 56 pages

Expected publication: October 2nd 2018 by Kids Can Press

My Review:

Welcome to the GOOD TIMES TRAVEL AGENCY! The agency that makes it happen. You want to see Ancient Egypt, travel to the Middle Ages or the Ice Age, visit Ancient Greece or Ancient China? Then you are in the right place. Today’s adventure:

Stowing Away With the Vikings

The Binkerton siblings are not new to these adventures. They are very exciting to go on. So when little Libby, the youngest of them, leans against the travel agency door, it opens right up and Julian Pettigrew, the owner, bestows them with a Vikings travel guide. And before they know it, they are on their way…smack dab into the midst of Scandinavia and the life of the Vikings. As usual, Josh, Emma and Libby experience their stay by getting into the best and worst of troubles. How will they escape this time?

***

This series is great for Kindergarteners or elementary students. It is a gentle “get to know new old places” introduction. While following theses siblings and their shenanigans it adds to the thread that keeps kids going without the burden or their realization that they are learning. Most of the pages contain an excerpt of two pages from their travel guide with factual information at the bottom. So the reader can partake in the siblings’ story as well as grab immediate info bites about the situation.

As with any of the other books in the series, the reader is informed about the place and time period traveled to, the way people lived and worked at that place in time, and any significant information with more specifics. In this case Viking raids, games, travel etc. At the end of the book are a few extra pages with further information and sources listed to dig into.

I have previously read two other novels in this series by Linda Bailey and I definitely like them. I have enjoyed reading them to kids, and therefore did not hesitate reading STOWING AWAY WITH THE VIKINGS when I saw it on NetGalley. I certainly can warmly recommend these adventures with bits of learning to all parents, educators and kids . Enjoy :)

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you kindly.