Other editions of book Leif the Lucky

Considered one of the finest works of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire, Leif the Lucky will delight both children and adults with the story of Leif, son of Erik the Red, who sailed with his father and a Viking crew to Greenland and then farther west to the continent of America. In this charming and lavishly illustrated edition, Leif is a sturdy, adventurous Viking boy who crosses uncharted seas to arrive at “a beautiful land with forests of strange trees growing all the way down to the shores.” Leif wrestles with polar bear cubs, watches the fierce Norse gods race in the glow of the Northern Lights, and becomes a strong and courageous hunter. Written in the spirit of the ancient sagas and rich in color and detail, Leif the Lucky is a fascinating biography of the young Viking explorer.

Considered by some children's book authorities to be the d'Aulaire's finest work, this biography of Leif Erickson, son of Eric the Red, best exemplifies the artist's skill in Norwegian folk art, style, and history. Their well-researched text is lavishly illustrated with Viking rune-like carvings, from the dragon prow of the ship that Leif must hurry to remove, lest it anger the spirits of the land, to the stave churches so unique to Norway. Landscapes depict emerald green fjords against floes of ice and mountains of snow. The grand halls of King Olav Trygvason are ornamented with carvings of Nordic mythical creatures while tame polar bear cubs romp and play. In this setting the young Leif grows to manhood and learns the skills of navigation, sailing his own ship when just a teen from Greenland to Norway. It is on his return journey that he discovers a new land—what we now know to be Newfoundland. Later he sends settlers there—actually establishing a colony. His tale is aptly and authentically told in the d'Aulaires's inimitable style.