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I'm a fan of Norse saga, and this is a well done picture-book/ kids version -- think of it as an introduction to the sagas. A light, less intense retelling of some of the shorter stories within the larger tales. It lacks the glorious language, and the author clearly abridges/ changes the stories when she feels like it, but she also tells you that, very specifically, in the afterword. It's a great companion to D'Aulaire's Myths and a interesting extension for kids who are casting around after reading Riordan. ( )

There's a reason why folk tales and fairy tales and sagas and legends last: they are good stories. The Dragon's Hoard is a collection of old stories told by the Vikings. Purists and kids who love a good tale will be happy: nothing has been sanitized here and there's lots of warriors and battles and monsters and warfare. I think kids are hungry for stories like these. ( )