Tales of the North
Illustrated adventures drawn from Old Norse myth and legend — rhyming stories written to help children become brave, honest, strong, and honorable people.
The Books
Each tale follows one young hero through one hard, honest moment — and the character trait it takes to get through it.
Livvy and the Lost Boat
A story about being honest.
Read the story →Emma and the Silver Sword
A story about being brave.
Read the story →Grace and the Long Winter
A story about being strong through hard times.
Read the story →Will and the Giant King
A story about doing your best, whether you win or lose.
Read the story →More Tales Coming
New heroes and new virtues are on their way north. Check back soon.
One Story, One Virtue
Every book in the series holds up a single, simple character trait for kids to talk about, recognize, and practice.
Truth
Being honest and owning what you've done, even when telling the truth is the hardest thing of all.
Livvy and the Lost Boat
Courage
Feeling afraid, and moving through the fear to do what scares you anyway.
Emma and the Silver Sword
Perseverance
Holding on and staying brave through the long dark, until morning comes and the light returns.
Grace and the Long Winter
Honor
Being brave, true, and good, even when things don't go the way you want.
Will and the Giant King
Rooted in Old Norse Myth
Every tale in the series is an original story drawn from real Norse writings — the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and the old sagas — carrying Viking-age wisdom into a bedtime story a child can actually understand.
Read the Story Behind the StoriesFrequently Asked Questions
For the full picture, see our guide to Norse mythology for kids.
Are Norse myths appropriate for young children?
Yes — when they're told the right way. The original sagas can be dark, so our books keep the adventure, wonder, and heart while gently softening anything too scary for little ones. They're written for ages 3–5 as read-alouds, so every story stays age-appropriate and still lands a real lesson. See more on are Norse myths appropriate for young kids.
Are these stories too scary or violent for preschoolers?
Not the way we tell them. We keep the giants, quests, and courage, but trim the gore and the grimmest bits so the tension stays fun, never frightening. A little "will they make it?" suspense actually helps kids learn bravery — without the nightmares.
Is Norse mythology okay for Christian or religious families?
Absolutely. We treat these as timeless stories — like fairy tales or fables — not religious instruction. The focus is on universal virtues: honor, courage, honesty, kindness. Plenty of faith-based families read them exactly this way: fun adventures that reinforce the values you're already teaching at home.
What life lessons do Tales of the North books teach?
Each book is built around one virtue — honor, courage, truth, loyalty, perseverance, and more. Instead of lecturing, we let the hero live the lesson through a Norse adventure, then name it plainly at the end. Kids remember the story, and the value rides along with it. More on the virtues these stories teach.
Why do your books use kid heroes like Will and Grace instead of Thor and Odin?
Because a four-year-old sees themselves in another kid, not a grown god. Swapping Thor for a boy named Will lets your child be the hero — so the courage or honor feels like something they could do too. The myths stay intact; the hero just becomes relatable. Read more about the series.
What age are these books for?
They're written for ages 3–5 as read-alouds, with rhyming couplets and about one line per page to keep little listeners hooked. Older kids, up to 7 or 8, enjoy them too — especially as they start connecting the stories to the real Norse myths behind them.
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