How to Train Your Dragon Audiobook By Cressida Cowell cover art

How to Train Your Dragon

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How to Train Your Dragon

By: Cressida Cowell
Narrated by: David Tennant
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Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon.

©2010 Cressida Cowell (P)2013 Hachette Audio Action & Adventure Dragons & Mythical Creatures Exploration & Discoveries Fantasy Fantasy & Magic Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Comedy Dragons Mythology Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"David Tennant, best known for his role as Doctor Who, brings a slew of Scottish accents to this high-spirited rendering of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's journey toward true heroism.... The taunting tones applied to Snotlout and his grunting sidekick, Dogsbreath, are a hoot. Tennant has a special talent for creating larger-than-life voices, particularly the lisping and stuttering of the dragon, Toothless, and the deep, malicious purring of the sea dragon. Music and ominous dragon roaring between scenes accentuate the performance." ( AudioFile)

Featured Article: The Best Family Audiobooks for All Ages


Sharing stories with your family can leave a lasting impression. As a parent, you probably remember the magic of having a book read aloud to you as a kid, and family audiobooks offer that same experience for your own children. Whether you’re looking to help increase literacy or discover the joy of group listening, our list has some of the best family audiobooks, from best sellers to newcomer favorites. Here are the best family audiobooks.

Featured Article The Best Family Audiobooks for All Ages
Entertaining Adventure • Humorous Storytelling • Excellent Narration • Imaginative World-building • Exciting Plot Twists
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If you're expecting this book to be anything like the movie of the same name, then I hate to break it to you but it's VERY different. I really enjoy the movie so when I found this book I gave it a go. It is a pretty fun story despite all the differences but there are times when I remember that it's intended for a younger audience.

David Tennant is an excellent narrator and does different voices for each character which all sound very neat. I especially like his voice for Stoic, Gober, and the Green Death. Now for the not so good part...as I listened to this book in my car I would keep having to adjust the volume because sometimes Tennant would speak really softly especially when Hiccup was talking or thinking in the story and other times he would start off very loudly especially if it was Gober or one of the other tribe members. And then there's Toothless which I wasn't very fond of narration-wise. But maybe that's the point. On the other hand I did enjoy the little musical interludes at the start of each chapter. They really brought that out so you knew when a good stopping place would be.

I know there's a lot more books in the series but I'm a little nervous about listening to them especially if I have to keep adjusting the volume so I can hear the narration. I think I'll stick with this one for now.

Very different from the movie (like a lot)

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Consider this to be a review of the series, and not just this book. Though the book is good, the series gets stronger and stronger (and a bit darker) as it moves along:

I listened to this series with two children (6 and 9), and we all really enjoyed it. David Tennant (!!) is a stunning reader, though the accents can be a little challenging at times, and there is occasionally some sound effects or music as well. Cressida Cowell can write as well - mixed in with the typical elements of middle school adventures (incompetent adults, dumb bullies, heroic kids who don't fit in) and humor are some beautiful turns of phrase and even some real melancholy, especially in the epilogues. You miss the illustrations in the book, but it is more than made up for by the reading.

This is a total winner for adults and kids. There is lots of action, a bit of potty humor, some sly phrasing that appeals to adults (Hiccup's mother is "Valhallarama of the White Arms and Chunky Thighs"), and some violence that is occasionally just shy of too graphic/scary for an elementary schooler. In short, an excellent series when your kids are not quite ready for Harry Potter, but you can't read another Magic Treehouse or Rainbow Fairies without screaming.

Great kid series that gets better as it goes

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This series is a favorite of my boys (6 years old) and David Tennant's narration is simply perfect. He's an amazing storyteller.

Simply the best

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It’s a really good book. Just surprised me it’s nothing like the movies!! NOTHING!! If you have an open mind and get past that it not like the movies, you will enjoy this book!

Not like the movies!!

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I love the whole series. I can't wait dor the next book. to see what toothless does next and if hiccup be comes a hero.

loved it.

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I liked this book because it had a great storyline and it is very good with telling how Hiccup got Toothless. (Review from 8 year old son)

I really liked this book!!!

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Could take a clever and witty book and turn it into a masterpiece. I honestly think I enjoyed listening to this recording more than I did watch

Only David Tennant...

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This book great listening with the kids, but the narration is too animated for comfortable listening. Tenant needs to be less dramatic and kinder to the audience's ears as the volume fluctuations make it hard to listen to without riding the volume buttons the whole time.

The story is excellent and is unique to the film, while still echoing all the important character traits and themes of the films. It is darker than the films, but this isn't so ad that it's a problem.

I like David Tenant, but not for this.

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I already loved this story but I love it even more with David Tennant narrating it!

Excellent story with fantastic narration!

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the narrator David is a really really really good story teller and I just want to hear it for a second time. also I love this app and book.

Damn, David is a really really good story teller.

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