(Image taken from the Play.com Website)
How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse is the second of two books that I have recently read in order to write a review of it. Read the review below and feel free to comment:
Title: How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse
Author: Cressida Cowell
Genre: Humour
Theme/Subject: vikings, friendship, dragons, self-esteem, bravery
Publisher: Hodder
ISBN: 0340902639
Reviewer: Mat Tobin
Summary:
Can Hiccup find the antidote to deadly Vorpentitis and fight the Doomfang? Can he brave the axe of Norbert the Nutjob, leader of the psychotic Hysterics tribe, and be the hero yet again? Hiccup’s best friend, Fishlegs, faces death after being struck down by a deadly poison. The antidote: a rare and heavily guarded….potato.
Review:
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is back in another rather fishy tale of daring, dashing, skiing and blatant potato burgling. We’re joined by the usual crew of Camicazi (whom every school-boy in their right mind should have a crush on), Toothless (Hiccup’s pet dragon) and Fishlegs (possibly the worst shot with a bow and arrow in existence).
Although this is the fourth book in the adventures of Hiccup, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I would advise anyone to go back and read any of the others as they’re missing out. The series is fun, light-hearted and one with a constant message which sings out that it does not matter how small or indifferent you look and feel; anything is possible if you put your mind to it!
The book itself is lathered in a lovely mix of text and illustrations. At times the images swamp over double pages and at other times it’s the text which swallows up the illustrations: an attractive spread that could possibly hook in the reluctant reader. The pictures are all cartoon-like and thickly inked and the pages are crammed full of posters, guides, medical footnotes and explanatory pieces, all cunningly created in the style that come across as glorified children’s drawings. These are accompanied by Cowell’s childish jokes too (lots of people get struck on the bottom with arrows).
The story, which appeals to both girls and boys, would work well as a guided/group reading book for Year 4 or 5 children: it is good fun and has a strong message about friendship and believing in oneself: nice for raising one’s self-esteem. Lively, laugh-out-loud in places, warm-hearted and full of hope for the hero that lives in all of us. This is a book that should sit comfortably on any child’s bookshelf: another firm addition to the adventures of Hiccup.
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