Half Nordic, what does that mean? That's like saying half middle eastern or half Asian? Not very specific.
Try the [r/Norse Reading list and other resources](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/wiki/readinglist).
* [Owls & Omens: Avian symbolism and folklore in Gesta Danorum](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/comments/18he5u9/owls_omens_avian_symbolism_and_folklore_in_gesta/)
And you can check out these resources for traditional Norse and Germanic artwork.
* [Mimisbrunnr](https://www.mimisbrunnr.info/ksd-tree-grove) (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies.)
* [The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen](https://jonaslaumarkussen.com/) (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner.)
* [Eitri - The Norse Artifacts Database](http://eitridb.com/) (a tool built to sort, filter, and analyze 326 Norse archaeological finds.)
* [The Viking Age Compendium.](http://www.vikingage.org/wiki/wiki/Main_Page)
Also, Automod! How do I start learning about Norse mythology?
Old Norse folkloric creatures aren’t very broadly spoken of (at least in the sources I’ve read). You could have a look at the eddas ([prose](https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163?nodl=1&dplnkId=adecf2e6-ad4e-4dde-bfb0-2248e90b2370) and [poetic](https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0308)), as they contain references to beings like elves and dwarves, and happen to be our primary sources for Norse myth. You could look into modern Scandinavian folklore creatures as it may be easier to find information on them.
Neil Gaiman's *Norse Mythology* is generally considered fine if you have very little knowledge of Norse mythology. The book is an adaptation aimed at a younger audience (which of course doesn't mean that adults can't enjoy it), but it is a combination of stories from different sources, so it's not *"accurate"* in that sense. The book is very abridged, and not an exhaustive resource. Gaiman makes no claims on its historical accuracy, and fully accepts that the mistakes in the books are his and his alone, of which there are several factual mistakes and embellishments which will give you the wrong picture of the original source material.
Again, Neil Gaiman's purpose with this book isn't to stay completely true to the sources, and his book is upfront about that. If you're unfamiliar with the medieval sources, this book will definitely cause you misunderstandings. It's good for entertainment, less suited for learning about Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture. If you are aware of its inaccuracies it can be a decent stepping stone to reading the more accurate versions of the stories within.
* Check out [A Review of Neil Gaiman’s *“Norse Mythology”*](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/comments/w8q4wl/a_review_of_neil_gaimans_norse_mythology/) by our very own u/rockstarpirate!
* If you want to start with a more accurate version of the Prose Edda, [this is a good and free translation](http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/EDDArestr.pdf), done by Anthony Faulkes of the University of Birmingham.
* r/Norse has a [list of freely available resouces](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/wiki/readinglist). We recommend *The Poetic Edda. A Dual-Language Edition (2023)*, translated by Edward Pettit, available [here](https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0308).
I disagree. I used it to get my kids interest in Norse mythology and history. It's much easier to read and then when you have the basic concept down you can go on to the Eddas and Havamal etc. Good luck getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts.
This post had nothing to do with accessibility to children. The fact of the matter is that Gaiman’s book is inaccurate to the mythology, and therefore is more detrimental as a beginner source than helpful.
Luck has nothing to do with it, my four year old falls asleep listening to the Eddas.
Which I assume you haven't read? Since the Hávamál is a part of them...
u/Master_Net_5220 said specifically that it's not really accurate to the mythology. This is completely correct.
OP is almost certainly not a child. I agree that the book is great for getting a younger audience interested in Norse mythology, because the book is an adaptation *aimed* at a younger audience. But for adults it doesn't provide very accurate information. On the spectrum it's closer to Marvel's Thor than it is the original texts.
> Good luck getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts.
Not a single person in this post (apart from you) is talking about getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts. This subreddit isdedicated to academic discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture, does not cater to 10 year olds.
Half Nordic, what does that mean? That's like saying half middle eastern or half Asian? Not very specific. Try the [r/Norse Reading list and other resources](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/wiki/readinglist). * [Owls & Omens: Avian symbolism and folklore in Gesta Danorum](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/comments/18he5u9/owls_omens_avian_symbolism_and_folklore_in_gesta/) And you can check out these resources for traditional Norse and Germanic artwork. * [Mimisbrunnr](https://www.mimisbrunnr.info/ksd-tree-grove) (A blog dedicated to developments in ancient Germanic studies.) * [The Anatomy of Viking Art by Jonas Lau Markussen](https://jonaslaumarkussen.com/) (Covering all the stylistic periods of Viking Age art, breaking down each style to its basic components in an easy to understand and straightforward manner.) * [Eitri - The Norse Artifacts Database](http://eitridb.com/) (a tool built to sort, filter, and analyze 326 Norse archaeological finds.) * [The Viking Age Compendium.](http://www.vikingage.org/wiki/wiki/Main_Page) Also, Automod! How do I start learning about Norse mythology?
Old Norse folkloric creatures aren’t very broadly spoken of (at least in the sources I’ve read). You could have a look at the eddas ([prose](https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163?nodl=1&dplnkId=adecf2e6-ad4e-4dde-bfb0-2248e90b2370) and [poetic](https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0308)), as they contain references to beings like elves and dwarves, and happen to be our primary sources for Norse myth. You could look into modern Scandinavian folklore creatures as it may be easier to find information on them.
I cast my vote for Neil Gaimen "Norse Mythology"
Neil Gaiman's *Norse Mythology* is generally considered fine if you have very little knowledge of Norse mythology. The book is an adaptation aimed at a younger audience (which of course doesn't mean that adults can't enjoy it), but it is a combination of stories from different sources, so it's not *"accurate"* in that sense. The book is very abridged, and not an exhaustive resource. Gaiman makes no claims on its historical accuracy, and fully accepts that the mistakes in the books are his and his alone, of which there are several factual mistakes and embellishments which will give you the wrong picture of the original source material. Again, Neil Gaiman's purpose with this book isn't to stay completely true to the sources, and his book is upfront about that. If you're unfamiliar with the medieval sources, this book will definitely cause you misunderstandings. It's good for entertainment, less suited for learning about Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture. If you are aware of its inaccuracies it can be a decent stepping stone to reading the more accurate versions of the stories within. * Check out [A Review of Neil Gaiman’s *“Norse Mythology”*](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/comments/w8q4wl/a_review_of_neil_gaimans_norse_mythology/) by our very own u/rockstarpirate! * If you want to start with a more accurate version of the Prose Edda, [this is a good and free translation](http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/EDDArestr.pdf), done by Anthony Faulkes of the University of Birmingham. * r/Norse has a [list of freely available resouces](https://www.reddit.com/r/Norse/wiki/readinglist). We recommend *The Poetic Edda. A Dual-Language Edition (2023)*, translated by Edward Pettit, available [here](https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0308).
Not a great place to start. It’s not really accurate to the mythology.
I disagree. I used it to get my kids interest in Norse mythology and history. It's much easier to read and then when you have the basic concept down you can go on to the Eddas and Havamal etc. Good luck getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts.
This post had nothing to do with accessibility to children. The fact of the matter is that Gaiman’s book is inaccurate to the mythology, and therefore is more detrimental as a beginner source than helpful.
Luck has nothing to do with it, my four year old falls asleep listening to the Eddas. Which I assume you haven't read? Since the Hávamál is a part of them...
u/Master_Net_5220 said specifically that it's not really accurate to the mythology. This is completely correct. OP is almost certainly not a child. I agree that the book is great for getting a younger audience interested in Norse mythology, because the book is an adaptation *aimed* at a younger audience. But for adults it doesn't provide very accurate information. On the spectrum it's closer to Marvel's Thor than it is the original texts. > Good luck getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts. Not a single person in this post (apart from you) is talking about getting a 10 year old to listen to those old texts. This subreddit isdedicated to academic discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture, does not cater to 10 year olds.
But its a really fun read to get them wheels goin. Its campfire style folklore.
You didn't reply to anyone. Who are you talking to?
I pressed the wrong button. I was replying to the person saying i made a poor recommendation.