The Last Viking

Written by Norman Jorgensen and illustrated by James Foley

Let the pillaging begin! CBC Picture Book of the Year winner, Norman Jorgensen, teams up with illustrator James Foley on this fun picture book about a boy who outwits local bullies by channelling his inner Viking.

James and Norman run a blog for teachers, students and aspiring authors. It follows the real-time trials, tribulations and joys of creating a picture book and is called KnutTheLastViking

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
’Foley’s illustrations reflect the humour and warmth of Jorgensen’s text … The Last Viking will provide many happy hours of reading and gazing for little ones and grown-ups alike.’ The Age

‘This is such a fun book, with the illustrations and text working together perfectly to create an exciting, magical story. [four stars out of five]’ Good Reading Magazine

‘Norman Jorgensen’s writing and James Foley’s illustrations complement each other perfectly in this charming story about courage and imagination.’ Junior Books+Publishing

‘This is a beautifully illustrated book, with easy transitions from the present to Viking days of glory. The inclusion of a page from Pop’s Viking book is fascinating and adds to the many layers of this wonderfully inventive book of heroes and legends.’ ABC Canberra Drive

‘I have a new favourite picture book!’ thebookchook.com

‘In this delightful story of a small boy and his dog, imagination and myth integrate neatly with reality to create a picture book that will entice the reader to engage in a range of discussions including bullying, new siblings, courage and the power of myth and story.’ IC3 The Professional Journal of the WA School Library Association & AISWA Libraries

‘The Last Viking is a charming book that will appeal to anyone who has an interest in Vikings, or perhaps has a fearful child.’ Magpies

‘Teaching the importance of courage and the fun of imagination, this is a beautiful read accompanied by equally lovely illustrations.’ Practical Parenting Magazine

‘This clever story about childhood fears and overcoming them is perfectly complemented by James Foley’s colourful and humorous illustrations.’ The West Australian

Awards

West Australian Young Readers Book Award (Winner 2012)
Children’s Book Council of Australia Early Childhood (Shortlisted 2012)
Aurealis Award (Shortlisted 2012)
Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature (Shortlisted 2012)
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Crystal Kite Awards (Winner 2012)
Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Books (Notable Book 2012)

Properties

ISBN	9781921888106 (Hardback) 9781925163155 (Paperback)
Formats	Picture Book (235 x 295mm) (Hardback) Picture Book (235 x 295mm) (Paperback)
Categories	Award Winning Affordable paperbacks Children's Picture Books
Pages	32
Publication Year	2011
Edition	1st
Publisher	Fremantle Press

James Foley

James Foley writes and illustrates picture books, middle-grade novels and comics for kids. He’s the author/illustrator of the S.Tinker Inc. graphic novel series for middle primary: Brobot, Dungzilla and Gastronauts star Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of 12, and Joe Tinker, her stinky baby brother.James also illustrated Total Quack Up!, an anthology of funny short stories written by authors such as Paul Jennings and Jacqueline Harvey, with proceeds going to charity. James’s earlier books My Dead Bunny, In the Lion, The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Ravens list. James is an ambassador for Books in Homes and Room To Read Australia. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd. He comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. Read more
Norman Jorgensen

Multi-award-winning writer Norman Jorgensen was born in Broome and lived a happy, Huckleberry Finn-like childhood. He has worked in the book trade for much of his life, and in his spare time, he loves to read, travel and take photographs. He now lives in a hundred-year-old house near the city with his wife, Jan Nicholls, a children’s book devotee. Norman began writing when in primary school and had a story read on the ABC Radio Argonauts Club, but it took many years before his first picture book, In Flanders Fields, beautifully illustrated by Brian Harrison-Lever, was published. Norman has since published three novels – Jack’s Island, The Smuggler’s Curse and his latest, The Wreckers’ Revenge – and two picture books with local illustrator James Foley – The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns. Read more

Media Release
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Press Quality Cover
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Press Quality Author Image
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Press Quality Author Image
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