The Danish secret to happy kids How the Viking way of raising children makes them happier, healthier, and more independent

When Russell (The Year of Living Danishly, 2015), a former journalist from London, accompanied her partner on what was supposed to be a one-year sojourn in Denmark, she was intrigued by its "happiest place on Earth" designation. Ten years and three children later, Russell again plumbs her immersive experiences with this exceptional parenting manual, attributing the Danish traits of independence, resilience, and community-mindedness to a modification of traditional Norse values. The author enhances her humorous anecdotes with extensive contextual research that permits comparisons with other current models of child-rearing. She concludes that the core Nordic beliefs of egalitarianism and individualism seen in successful social democracies are achievable in large part due to their strong national support systems. Russell is sanguine about the transferability of the Danish model to other nations, but she acknowledges that some cultural customs would be better left discarded. Russell's guidance is educational, but it is her depiction of hilariously mortifying moments and struggles with assimilation that make this reference truly quote-worthy and engaging.

This jaunty guide from journalist Russell (How to Be Sad) explores the distinctive parenting culture of Nordic nations, whose inhabitants are humorously referred to as "Vikings" throughout. Russell recounts how she and her husband, both Britons by birth, moved to Denmark in 2013 for work and fell in love with the country, deciding to stay indefinitely and giving birth to three children there. Over the years, she discovered that "Vikings typically trust that children will figure things out, learn how to use their bodies, and manage their surroundings." Interviews with experts illuminate the wisdom behind this approach, as when Russell investigates the "Viking" belief that moderately risky forms of play (climbing a tall tree, for instance) are good for children by interviewing Danish child development experts who believe such activities help kids better understand the world ("If I jump off this table, what will happen?"). Russell's humor infuses the bemused cultural commentary ("I knew I'd passed the point of no return when googling 'best axe for children,' " she writes about preparing her eight-year-old son for summer camp), and the recommendations to let siblings settle disputes among themselves and allow kids to make mistakes are refreshing in their respect for children's autonomy. Readers looking for an alternative to helicopter parenting will want to check this out. Agent: Anna Power, Johnson & Alcock. (July)