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History comes alive in Viking Lullaby
Author reading, and signing of Viking Lullaby Friday, September 21 at the Kimberley Public Library
As an 18-year veteran Viking re-enactor, Sarah Jones, will attest, Viking culture is in the midst of resurgence.
With archeological digs discovering women’s roles in leading troops into battle, Marvel movies featuring the Norse god, Thor, and history channel’s Vikings TV show, Viking culture is found in more and more mainstream culture.
And, while Viking culture has caught the interest of novel writers, Viking Lullaby is the first fictional Viking picture book based on the myths and history, instead of the stereotypes that have pervaded since Wagner’s opera first put horns on Viking helmets to make them look more fierce.
Like many Viking re-enactors, Jones has high praise for Viking Lullaby. “What I like about Viking Lullaby, is having those teachings come to children. It’s morals and scruples we can all respect, all walks of life, all religions, and it’s sweet to see that put into a format that is child friendly,” she said.
“It’s easy to learn, easy to read and follow. Parents would learn a little bit of something, and children would learn a little bit of something.” She continues, “Viking culture was about stories. And it was about family and community and holding people together. This book helps teach those, and if we’re teaching that to youth, bringing that to a new generation, that’s fundamentally important.”
From the easily accessible format, to the gorgeous illustrations, it has already caught the attention of children of all ages, from one year old, through teens, to adults. Viking re-enactors have praised Viking Lullaby for its introduction to young children of the gods and heroes of Norse mythology, while teachers enjoy the cross-curricular nature, and parents enjoy something new to engage their children in reading.
After creating and putting on Western Canada’s largest free medieval festival, the award-winning Kimberley Medieval Festival, for four years, Michelle Forbes has called on her creative writing and musical education and experience to create this book to carry on the legacy of the festival, featuring Vikings.
Her three (soon to be four) children and husband have been her guinea pigs and inspiration as she worked on the book. Between owning a bakery with her husband, Eric, running the festival, raising her children, taking care of her turtle, salamanders, and other pets, writing, her music, and continuing to receive several different awards, she shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, and has other Viking picture books already in the works.
Since time began, mothers have sung lullabies to their children; even Viking mothers. Viking Lullaby lulls children to sleep as their minds are drawn into a magical world where myths meet reality.
The lullaby follows Viking gods, giants, elves, and a Viking family, as they leave off their daily routines to sleep. Unlike other Viking children’s books, Viking Lullaby offers the historical accuracy expected by today’s generation, with enchanting illustrations that will be enjoyed by all generations. It is the perfect bedtime story for children of all ages, in the first of this new series of picture books to fill this void in the market.
Learn more about Viking Lullaby and Forbes’ other Viking ventures on her website at: michelleforbesauthor.com, or follow her on Twitter at: or on Facebook at:
Be sure to join Forbes for her book launch, author reading, and signing of Viking Lullaby Friday, September 21 at Kimberley Public Library.
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