On a dark and stormy night exactly 10 years ago today, The Last Viking was launched.
The Last Viking turns 10
Tag: Norman Jorgensen
FAQ: How did you get into books?
To the pre-published, the children’s book industry can seem like a secret club. How do you get to be one of those people on the inside, who have their stories and illustrations published professionally? It’s something I get asked a lot.
Last Viking Returns voted number one by WA kids
Norm and I have some good news: The Last Viking Returns has won the Hoffman Award!
It’s one of the WA Young Readers’ Book Awards and it’s given to the highest-ranked book by a WA creator. The Last Viking won the same award back in 2012.
Huge thanks to all the WA kids who voted for our book; it means a lot.
You can read more about the win on the Fremantle Press website.
Evolution of a scene: the rough sketches for ‘Big Trouble’
There’s a scene in The Last Viking Returns called ‘Big Trouble’ where Fafnir the dragon is finally revealed in all his terrible glory. The scene went through a lot of changes during development, so I thought I’d share them here.
It’s a lot of pics though so I’ll share them in two parts. This post will show you the roughs, and next week’s post will show how the final illustration was put together.
(And if you haven’t read the book yet, there’s a few SPOILERS below.)
Continue reading “Evolution of a scene: the rough sketches for ‘Big Trouble’”
The Last Viking Returns, September/October school holiday events
We’ve got two more Viking events happening during the school holidays:
- the State Library exhibition continues until the end of the September
- we’ve got a Boffins bookshop event in Perth on Wednesday 1st October.
Hit the link for the details.
Continue reading “The Last Viking Returns, September/October school holiday events”
Tonya ‘Valkyrie’ McCusker launches The Last Viking Returns
We had two launches for The Last Viking Returns this past week: a mini-launch at the fantastic Beaufort Street Books in Mount Lawley, then a big mammoth launch at the State Library. Tonya McCusker generously dressed up to launch our book with her daughter Mary ably assisting. Hit the jump for more photos.
Continue reading “Tonya ‘Valkyrie’ McCusker launches The Last Viking Returns”
The Last Viking Returns exhibition
The State Library of Western Australia is exhibiting the artwork of The Last Viking Returns from today until September 30.
Head up to The Place on the mezzanine floor to see original sketches, storyboards and character designs as well as prints of the final artwork. You can also see research materials and Norm’s original manuscripts.
Read on for photos of the printing and hanging process …
Reviews for The Last Viking Returns
We’ve had a few more reviews filter through – one for The Last Viking Returns and a belated but very welcome one for The Last Viking.
THE LAST VIKING RETURNS
“A very humorous account of two worlds colliding: the mortal and the Viking Asgard. Young Josh, alias Knut, must look after his younger twin siblings at the Viking theme park but Odin and the other Viking gods get caught up in the problem that occurs when the twins go berserk …
Not only is the simple story full of action but the full colour animated spreads further make this book an exciting adventure for the reader. The front end paper brings the theme park alive with its keyed map while the back end paper offers a runic alphabet and code for the more advanced reader. This landscape production will be a sure winner with young readers up to middle primary and perhaps beyond.” – John Cohen, the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Reading Time blog
THE LAST VIKING
“This is an intricately crafted picture book of the highest quality. A CBCA Notable Book in 2012, it manages to both entertain and inspire, while touching on issues ranging from childhood fears and bullying to the power of myth and storytelling. Josh’s creativity as he builds a Viking longship is a joy to behold. His bravery in the face of terror as he marches out to confront a pack of bullying children is formidable. And the way in which his problems are resolved is delightful.
There’s a lovely wry humour running throughout this book that will give parents a great deal of enjoyment too. And I absolutely loved the way the illustrations are allowed to tell entire chunks of the story. In fact, I pretty much loved everything about this book, which is why I can’t wait for the sequel.” –Anouska Jones, Kids’ Book Review
The Last Viking Returns is out now!
Find it at your local bookshop or order it online.
The Last Viking Returns today!
The Last Viking Returns is officially in bookshops from today!
To celebrate, we’re having two launches in Perth over the next week.
We’re also having an exhibition of the book’s artwork.
The big launch has reached capacity, but there’s still some space left at the second launch.
Here’s the details:
The Last Viking Returns second launch!
Saturday 6 September
11am to 12pm
Beaufort Street Books
567 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, WA
- Meet Wolverine the dog and his new friend on the day!
- There will be a special reading of The Last Viking Returns and activities.
- Kids tickets cost $5 but can be redeemed off book purchases.
- FREE entry for adults.
Reservations and ticket purchases: (08) 6142 7996 or hello@beaufortstreetbooks.com.au
If you can’t make it to either of the launches, you might like to see an exhibition of the artwork from the book.
The Last Viking Returns exhibition
Sept 5 – 30
The Place, State Library of WA
25 Francis St, Perth
On behalf of Norm, thanks again for your support of our books!
James
Our second book gets a second book launch
By the time this blog post goes live, we’re likely to have reached capacity for the launch of The Last Viking Returns.
If you couldn’t RSVP in time, don’t despair.
We’ve got a second launch organised!
Keep Saturday 6 September free from 11am to 12pm for a Viking event at Beaufort Street Books, 567 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, WA.
- Meet Wolverine the dog and his new friend on the day!
- There will be a special reading of The Last Viking Returns and activities.
- Kids tickets cost $5 but can be redeemed off book purchases.
- FREE entry for adults.
Reservations and ticket purchases: (08) 6142 7996 or hello@beaufortstreetbooks.com.au
James Foley 