Review by Booklist Review
Arthur has gathered quite a collection of mystical objects in his adventures wandering around the forests of Iceland, but the other villagers think he's odd and too small to be much help. Even when Fenrir, a giant hound, extinguishes the great fire that keeps their village warm during the icy winter and injures all of the able-bodied adults in the process, they still don't believe Arthur has what it takes to be a hero. Luckily for them, however, Arthur is undaunted, and with the help of his magical objects, he seeks out Thor, who promises to relight the town's fire if Arthur helps bind Fenrir with a magic rope. Though Todd-Stanton's debut retells an old story the binding of Fenrir his warm illustrations give it a modern flair with a jewel-toned palette, stylishly cartoonish figures, and fantastic scenes dense with detail. Straddling the line between picture book and graphic novel, this adventuresome series starter offers a playful, imaginative take on Norse mythology, perfect for fans of Luke Pearson's Hilda series.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Brownstones have been adventurers for generations, the artifacts from their exploits housed in a family vault; this tale, Todd-Stanton's debut, is about the first of their clan: an Icelandic boy named Arthur. When the giant wolf Fenrir destroys his village's great fire, Arthur is chosen to seek help from the Norse gods. Arthur's quest to find Thor and his kin is easy compared to the one that Thor sends him on: to acquire the ingredients to create a golden rope to bind Fenrir. Blending elements of picture book and graphic novel, Todd-Stanton's book offers a light introduction to Norse myth, drawn in a style that evokes both classic Franco-Belgian comics and the work of contemporary creators like Kate Beaton and Noelle Stevenson. Earthy colors and numerous scenes of daring action invite readers into a magical and mythical world, as do endpapers featuring characters (both god and monster) and maps. Arthur-small of stature, bespectacled, brave, and quick-thinking-is first-rate proof that tiny can be mighty, and readers will look forward to hearing about his descendants' adventures. Ages 5-9. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3 Up-In surveying his family's vault of treasures collected over generations, Professor Brownstone introduces his earliest ancestor. Arthur, a strange but good-hearted boy, has been going on magical adventures all of his life. But when his village is attacked by monsters, it's up to Arthur to find the magical items needed to restart the town's fire and drive out the beasts. Adapted from several Norse mythology tales, like the binding of Fenrir, this offering is a great way to introduce kids to Norse mythology. However, an author's note discussing who all the different monsters are and explaining the allusions to different stories would have made this a great educational resource. Todd-Stanton's artistic approach is folksy yet modern: big on charm and excellent at telling such an epic tale. And the graphic novel format makes this work a compelling adventure, suitable for reluctant readers. VERDICT Here's hoping Professor Brownstone has more stories to tell in the future. A quirky choice for newly independent and myth-loving readers.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An unlikely hero rescues his Icelandic village in this picture-book retelling of "The Binding of Fenrir." Mr. Brownstonea white, white-bearded narrator in a plaid suitwelcomes readers to his family vault, wherein lie artifacts collected over thousands of years from all corners of the globe. His "most treasured possession" is his book collection. The books contain long-forgotten stories told by Brownstone's ancestors, and the narrator segues into the tale of a young, white Icelandic adventure seeker named Arthur. When young Arthur explores a forest in search of a magical worm species, he encounters Fenrir, a monstrous black wolf, who heads straight for his village and puts out its great fire, without which the town will freeze and its people die. Through research, exploration, and bravery, Arthur receives guidance from Thor and Odin in order to defeat and capture Fenrir and his minions. British debut storyteller Todd-Stanton's elaborate Icelandic- and Norse-inspired depictions plunge readers into the deepest parts of the mythic story, centering a young boy rather than a god as the pivotal hero. Cool blue-greens contrast with warm orange-reds to illustrate an intricate world from another time. Clear narration and smatterings of wordless panels catapult readers into this first adventure in a new series. With picture books seeming to hew to ever more minimalist approaches, this retelling of a Norse myth, rich with adventure and mystery in a wonderfully picturesque package, comes as an opulent treat. (Picture book. 5-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
