Viking Strong

May 15, 2023
A Viking helps his girlfriend achieve a goal. This tale focuses on Stig's girlfriend, Ingrid, introduced in Cenko's Viking in Love (2021), who wants to enter the Strongest Viking Contest to fulfill a childhood dream. The only problem? Swimming is a required part of the competition, but Ingrid can't so much as doggy paddle. Stig convinces her to enter anyway, and she begins a rigorous training schedule, with Stig assisting each step of the way. By the day of the contest, however, she still hasn't mastered swimming. Though the other Vikings tower over Ingrid, she easily excels at feats of strengths--as well as "Patting Your Head While Rubbing Your Belly and Then Switching Really Fast" and the "Running of the Kittens!" To complete the swimming portion of the contest, Ingrid brings along a flotation device--and so have the other Vikings. When the others get tangled up in a "floatie jam," Ingrid's ingenuity saves the day. Throughout, Stig and the couple's adorably funny kittens cheer on Ingrid. Illustrations are packed with cues that reinforce children's visual intelligence and will prompt big laughs. Themes of persevering despite the odds and supporting a loved one are valuable reminders for readers of all ages. Fans of Viking in Love will see that Stig has finally become comfortable in the water himself, his fear of water being the central conflict when he was trying to woo Ingrid. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Even funnier and sweeter than its predecessor. (Picture book. 4-9)

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June 30, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 In this sequel to Viking in Love (2021), Ingrid, golden-braided, tall, and enormously strong, enters the ""Strongest Viking Contest" with one daunting problem: she can't swim. Sweetheart Stig, red-bearded, short, and shaped like a Lewis chessman, helps Ingrid train for the contest's events of "Lifting Really Heavy Things," "Patting Your Head While Rubbing Your Belly," "Running of the Kittens," and "Doggy Paddling," but Ingrid consistently sinks to the bottom when she tries to swim. When the big event comes around, however, there's a massive floatie jam that sees all the contestants sinking, and it's Ingrid who carries them all to safety. She does not win, but she does learn that helping others trumps winning a trophy. The illustrations establish a Viking feel with an opening panel of contestants lifting a cask, a cow, a longship, and a tree, that altogether evokes a sense of the intricate, abstract art of Nordic wood carvings. The signs and posters throughout contain rune-like angular letters. A boisterous blend of contemporary and ancient Viking details, with a heartening message about truly winning.

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July 28, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-Heartwarming and laugh-out-loud hilarious, this book is refreshingly expressive from start to finish. Ingrid is a blonde braid-wearing Viking. Her sweetheart, Stig, and a variety of petite kittens support Ingrid as she wants more than anything to win the Strongest Viking Contest. However, the final category is swimming, and Ingrid doesn't know how to swim! To help Ingrid achieve her goal and be ready for some stiff competition, Stig, with the cavalry of cute kittens, coaches as she trains for the big event. It isn't until, deep down, with chaos ensuing above, and the finish line in sight that Ingrid realizes what it means to be a strong Viking. Cenko's crisp storytelling, with expert pacing and anticipatory page turns, will have young readers kept in suspense while cheering on Ingrid's efforts. Lively colorfully drawn illustrations of oversized, comically fierce, snaggle-toothed Vikings alongside tiny kittens support the theme of kindness while also noting that some things are more important than winning, rounding out a humorous and uplifting read for all. VERDICT Young readers will gravitate toward this delightful title, perfect for picture book collections.-Lyn Smith

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