We all have a talent to share. This is the beautiful message of the Hiking Viking.
Perfect read for families with nature lovers, too.

I absolutely loved this book! Leif is so relatable to me and I like that it encourages children to appreciate experiences, such as beautiful views and to stay true to themselves. The pictures are cute and bright, perfect for engaging kids and the characters being Vikings offers some chance for discussion about historical periods. I would have liked for there to be a bit more reference to the Viking theme so it could have more significance as part of a history topic in school but it was still a great book!

I picked this book up mostly because of the title (who doesn't love a good rhyme?) and was pleasantly surprised by what was inside. The Hiking Viking is the story of young Leif, who prefers spending time in nature. All the other Vikings, though, keep telling him he needs to act more like them. It's a matter of honour, they say. If they lose the Viking Games, their clan will be thought weak and ripe for plundering. So Leif tries his best, but... he isn't very good at feats of physical strength. When it comes down to the final challenge, though, Leif just may have the key to winning it all.

This is basically a story about appreciating nature and taking time away from noisy pursuits to have a few moments of stillness. Introverts will be able to relate to Leif's desire for peace and quiet. Nature lovers will delight in the illustrations, which are luminous and celebrate the natural world. The characters are stylized, but Leif is a standout, with great facial expressions and a charming vulnerability.

Fans of Viking stories will probably want to check this one out. So will those who appreciate nature and all the precious treasures it has to offer.

The other Vikings are loud and boisterous. Leif just doesn’t fit in with their activities and would rather spend time quietly in the mountains. When the Viking Games come around, he must find a way to help his team win.

Laura Gehl has created a lovely story about acceptance and being different in The Hiking Viking. The full color illustrations add to the story in a bright, whimsical way.

𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Hiking Viking
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Laura Gehl
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Children's Fiction
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐇:
• Vibrant colours and cute illustrations keeping the audience engaged throughout the read. I was so impressed with the art, I loved it!
• Simple and fun read with a great message (celebrating and embracing being different and nature)

𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐄:
• I feel like the reading experience would be better if this was read in a physical format due to some pages being spread across 2 pages

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: acceptance of being different, appreciating nature

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫: young children (can't wait to read this to the children)

Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠: 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐣𝐨𝐲.𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞.

Such bold and colorful illustrations! I love the message of appreciating the beauty of nature. I loved how his family came together towards the end.

A book for the kids who feel different, and a reminder for us all to take time to appreciate the beauty around us. Bold colorful illustrations emphasize the difference between the "normal" Viking pursuits and the beauty of the hike. The ending felt a little disappointing and predictable.

I loved the story and the vibrant illustrations. It was so joyful!
It was a story of young who was more interested in nature and hiking rather than sword playing, Lifting or duals. He knew he was different. He tried to make his parents understand that he want to hike, to embrace tha nature. But they didn't agree. So the story continues with a Competition where he has to prove his ability and protect his clan.

i loved the message it tried to portray, that it's okay to be different from others and to listen to what heart wants, What i want. The ending was satisfying.

and i admire the illustrator, it was so colourful that whoever sees this, will read this.

I narrated the whole story to my little brother and he felt so happy. I'll definitely going to get him this book.

Thank you netgalley for providing me an ARC.

I really enjoy the book it was well written and has some brilliant illustrations

The book had a great flow to it and it was an easy story to follow

I can see it being a firm favourite and one that is read again and again.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!!

The illustrations in this book were fantastic. The story was cute and well done and overall just great. I will for sure be looking into getting this one for our library. I think it is a good reminder for kids that it is ok to love different things.

This was a really cute story that I think children will enjoy, especially because how vikings are depicted for children is really fun. It also illustrates the importance and beauty of nature. While I personally didn't like the illustrations, I think the bright colors and whimsical nature will appeal to children.

The Hiking Viking is a simple read - Leif is a peaceful soul surrounded by rambunctious Vikings. He prefers the beauty and serenity of his beautiful land but as a member of his clan he is expected to be a part of the Viking Games and get physical. Leif does what he can to be a part of the group but his heart is not in it...until the final challenge! Will Leif rise to the challenge? A great story to share with kids to help them embrace their own choices and voices.
Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Capstone for a free digital copy.

Celebrating the beauty and power of nature, this book has fun illustrations and a story about staying true to yourself.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was a really cute story with a nice ending. The pictures were also engaging and brought to life the beauty the story was describing.

The first thing that struck me when I opened this book was the cinematic illustrations. As a children's librarian, I can confidently say that this is a book kids will choose themselves. Visually, there is a definite resemblance to the How to Train Your Dragon series, but the storyline is original. A young viking boy loves to hike and explore his world. His family and community insists that he conform and have the same talents and pursuits as them. In the end, however, he is able to demonstrate the value he brings to his community, just as he is. This works as both a cozy book for bedtime reading and in the classroom as a conversation starter about the value of differences.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Leif is a viking boy who enjoys hiking more than anything else and is peaceful. The beginning of this story reminded me of The Story of Ferdinand - the peaceful bull. His family and clan force Leif to participate in the Viking Games, which focus on skills of violence and brawn like spear throwing and wrestling. At the end his clan is tied with another clan and the officiator asks everyone to bring forth a treasure. Leif leads everyone to a favorite hiking spot to watch the sun set. Everyone is in awe and Leif's clan wins. It's a sweet story about the value of a different perspective.

This book is better read in paper format, as some of the pictures span 2 pages and are better viewed as a whole.

Leif is not like other Vikings - and that’s ok! The Hiking Viking tells the story of Leif and his clan as they prepare for the Viking Games. Leif prefers to spend time by himself in nature, and would prefer not to do the lifting and shouting the rest of the Vikings are known for.

This book shares a great message that you do not needing to conform to societal roles because it’s what is expected of you. In the end, it’s Leif’s differences that lead his clan to victory. This book shares a great message to kids that it’s important to follow your heart.

The illustrations in this book were absolutely beautiful. I loved all of the color and the art style was very unique - it almost reminded me of a stop motion animated film.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an eARC.

I read this adorable picture book to my 6 year old son. He said that he really liked the pictures, and liked that Leif found what he liked and wanted to show others. I found the idea of this story so cute! Leif had very different interests than the rest of his family, but at the end of the day his different Interests are just what his clan needed.

This is the cutest!!! I cannot wait for this to be in print! My son is only 6m old but when he gets bigger I can already tell this is going to be a repeat read for him. The illustrations are so well done and eye catching. Just amazing!

This was a delightful read. The wording is light and easy to follow for young children (and tired adults alike!) framed in rich, beautiful art in vibrant colours and a pleasing style. It's nice to see a Viking-themed children's book that isn't about overcoming things with strength or intelligence alone, as if they're polar opposites. Will definitely be getting this one for the newer parents in my life when it's released.