How to Train Your Dragon

By: Cressida Cowell

Narrated by: David Tennant

Length: 3 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III rise to fame, through his dragon-training exploits, told in Hiccup's own words by David Tennant.

Hiccup was a truly extraordinary Viking Hero, Warrior chieftain, awesome sword-fighter and amateur naturalist. He was known throughout Vikingdom as 'the Dragon Whisperer' on account of his power over these terrifying beasts. But it wasn't always like that....

©2004 Cressida Cowell (P)2004 Hodder Children's Books

The best!

Even as a grown-up I love listening to these over and over again. Great books great performance. Buy all of them !

fun adventure story for all ages

This is a great novel and a great beginning to this series. The book is fun without being shallow and Cowell paints a vivid picture of life with Vikings and dragons. David Tennant has varied voices for all the different characters and it's hard to believe they come from one person.

One of the best books of my life 😀

I am astounded by Cressida Cowell's idea of dragons and how she used her own imagination and creativity with them. And David Tennant's narration was just perfection! He really brought the characters, humour and fantasy of Cressida Cowell alive 🐉 I loved Hiccup and his dragon's character development(= how the character changed in the story) One of the best books I've ever read! 💕

Wonderful!

Once you start these you will just keep going and going. Buy the collection of the first three instead of one by one! My daughter and I listen together on road trips and the hours just slip by. I wish I had David Tennant to read me a bedtime story every night 😂🫠

Fun story, inspired narration.

It's a fun (although familiar) story of a normal boy who overcomes the odds using his brains. But it contains Vikings and that alone gets it an additional star. My kids loved listening to this, especially the inspired narration of David Tennant.

A joy to listen to...

Where does How to Train Your Dragon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Delighful. The story is different to (and so much better than) the movie. David Tennant knows how to read and enjoys doing so.

Which character – as performed by David Tennant – was your favorite?

All his characters are instantly identifiable by their voices. You never think for a minute it is a character other than that than which it is intended to be - his character voices never falter.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

We have a holiday home a couple of hours from our house. We listen to a half a book in each direction. Our boys (8 and 6 years) never act up in the car when these are on. It makes driving such a delight.

Any additional comments?

We are working our way through the series and each book is proving to be a delight. Well written, narrated and produced. We love them as much as the kids do.

Delightful performance commands your attention.

Where does How to Train Your Dragon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top. One of the best.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the story is brought to life by David (McDonald) Tennant.

What does David Tennant bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The emphasis he puts on certain words adds to the delight of listening - it really grabs my attention. I find what he is saying hilarious. It's difficult to explain. Not just a regular narration - there's some *feeling* here! :D yayyy

Any additional comments?

I haven't even gotten through the whole book yet and I'm hooked.

Being a hero the hard way!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! I think that any one at any age can relate to this book. It's a great story about building character and how to build honor not by your actions or being strong but staying true to yourself and following your gut.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hiccup was my favorite character. I admired how he stood calm in all situations even though he may have been afraid on the inside. He proved that true wit is more useful than strength.

What about David Tennant’s performance did you like?

I loved his accent and the different inflections he used in his voice. You could hear that he was really invested in the story and he kept you listening to every word.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Being a hero the hard way!

Any additional comments?

LOVED IT! Really a true pleasure to listen to! I am 24 years old and I think that this story is good for any one. There were a lot of great characters and the story ended differently than you typically expect from a tale of a legend.

We are hooked.

Would you listen to How to Train Your Dragon again? Why?

We have listened to it several times already.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator is brilliant and the stories are really engaging for adults and children alike.

Have you listened to any of David Tennant’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

We have listened to the whole series and they are all on a par.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

My six year old son listened to it in two sittings which is saying something.

Any additional comments?

These books have been the things that have made several long car trips with two young children almost painless.

A story to listen to again and again

What made the experience of listening to How to Train Your Dragon the most enjoyable?

The great voices David Tennant uses for the different charters. A clever story full of humour and wisdom.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hiccup, becoming a hero the hard way!