How to Raise a Viking
- Author Helen Russell
- Narrator Helen Russell
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date 15 February 2024
- Run Time 9 hours and 12 minutes
- Format x-book®
- Genre Child care and upbringing: advice for parents, Child, developmental and lifespan psychology, Cultural studies: food and society, Family and health, Living and working in other countries: practical advice, Outdoor schools / education, Pregnancy, birth and baby care: advice and issues, Self-help, personal development and practical advice, Social attitudes, Social, group or collective psychology, Society and Social Sciences, Sociology: family and relationships.
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Flexible Pricing & Rewards For Listening
At xigxag, the more you read, the less you pay* on select audiobook and x-book® titles, as in the table below. Pricing updates automatically in the app and resets one year after your first purchase. And you can always find a selection of brilliant titles available for only €4.95.
*Only the full price titles you buy count toward your personal pricing tier. Full price titles don’t include Listen for Less or other books bought with a voucher or discount code.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price p/Title
- €9.95
- €8.95
- €7.95
- €6.95
- €5.95
Listen to a sample
What to expect
'Top-notch’ Good Housekeeping – BEST PARENTING BOOKS
'Helen has a way to take big ideas and convey them with warmth and wisdom' Dr Rangan Chatterjee
'A well researched study injected with humour and humanity' Mail on Sunday
*Featured on The Happiness Lab with Dr Laurie Santos*
After a decade of living in Denmark and raising a family there, Helen Russell noticed that Nordic children are different. They eat differently. They learn differently. They run, jump and climb out in nature for hours a day, even though the weather is terrible and it's dark October to March. And then they grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet. Her question was: how?
In How to Raise a Viking, Russell takes a deep dive into the parenting culture of Denmark and the other Nordic nations, from parental leave policies to school structure, screen time, and the surprising customs that lead to happy, well-adjusted humans. This fascinating peek behind the cultural curtain allows readers a glimpse of another world, where babies sleep outside in their prams up to -20°C and pre-schoolers wield axes.
Refreshingly funny and unfailingly optimistic about the new generation of humans growing up in the world right now, this is a heart-warming love letter to Russell’s adopted homeland and proof that we could all do with a bit more Viking in our lives.
'Ditch all the other parenting books. This is the one – funny, helpful, doable and not guilt-inducing. Makes me want to have kids all over again and try it this way' Matt Rudd
'I highly recommend' Mariella Frostrup
'Helen’s brilliant writing is having a dangerously powerful impact on me which is leading me to an inevitable emigration to Scandinavia' Rob Beckett
'How to Raise a Viking contains much of interest and succeeds in its primary purpose: making us think about how we should engage with our children and help them to realise their potential, and what we must prioritise to do so' Sunday Times
‘Helen Russell explains from experience how Nordic countries put a strong emphasis on resilience, outdoor play, independence, egalitarianism and a balanced approach to education and family life. "Viking parenting" is about raising children to be self-assured, capable and connected to the natural world’ The Week
Critics Review
'In a delicious mix of comic memoir and well-honed reportage, Russell addresses how well-adjusted little citizens are formed in Scandinavia ... This is not a rose-tinted advert for the hygge life, but rather a deep dive into the pros and cons of a radically different approach to parenthood' Mail on Sunday
'[Russel] spills Nordic secrets for parents to marvel at ... however there's plenty that is exportable' The Times
'Helen's brilliant writing is having a dangerously powerful impact on me which is leading me to an inevitable emigration to Scandinavia' Rob Beckett, comedian
'I highly recommend' Mariella Frostrup, Times Radio
'In her signature style of warmth and whip smart investigation, Helen provides us a window into this wonderous world of Nordic parenting. You'll be rushing out to buy your little ones knives and a box of matches after reading this enlightening and entertaining book!' Helen Thorn, comedian and Sunday Times bestselling author
'This is the book my parents needed. Too late for them, not too late for you' Simon Mayo, author and presenter
'Helen has done it again. This book will help any parent ... Witty and informative' Meik Wiking, Sunday Times bestselling author and founder of The Happiness Research Institute
'There's some good learnings here for parents to be inspired by in this fun book on how to make your little ones more happily independent' Lorraine Candy, author of 'What's Wrong with Me?'
'How to Raise a Viking contains much of interest and succeeds in its primary purpose: making us think about how we should engage with our children and help them to realise their potential, and what we must prioritise to do so' Sunday Times
User Reviews
Repeating the pattern of anecdotes backed by research was a red flag for me. The science citations appeared to me a bit superficial and it is too important not to consider dissenting point of views or look for wider context. A good example of this would be 'testing effect'. Helen contrasts test-light Danish education with the US and UK claiming Danes catch up quickly. That may be so but in literature on learning testing is known to improve educational outcomes when it is used as a guidance tool rather than a way to sort people into categories.
Perhaps though this is a comment for a different book.
Some nuance and confusion is seen in chapter on digital technology which I found both genuine and insightful.
Overall, I think the book is very good in that it opens a conversation on upbringing styles and presents merits of an alternative to specifically British audience. Chapter on risk is a particularly delicate topic that I think is handled really well.
I found the epilogue very moving.
More from the same
Narrator
About xigxag and the x-book®
Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.
Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.
Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.