The antics of young Viking siblings Hack and Whack would cause even Horrid Henry to blanch. Ignoring their (enormous) mother as she calls them in for bed, they run off scattering chickens and pigs and the other Viking villagers as they go before finally knocking over a Viking loo (unfortunately it’s occupied). When they are exhausted and absolutely filthy, their mother finally catches them, and administers a short, sharp Viking reprimand before dumping the pair into the bath, then into their long boat-shaped beds. It’s gloriously wild and raucous good fun, but actually contains a very accurate depiction of a Viking settlement too.
Hack and Whack - two angelic looking Viking toddler twins - are on the attack! As they go marauding around their village, upsetting the apple carts, little do they know there is a force far more powerful than they: their mum! The story ends on the terrible two being plunged into a cold bath!
Francesca Simon was born in St Louis, Missouri, grew up in California, and attended both Yale and Oxford Universities, where she specialised in Medieval Studies. She worked as a freelance journalist, writing for the Sunday Times, Guardian, Mail on Sunday, Telegraph, and Vogue (US) and after her son Joshua was born in 1989, she started writing children’s books full time. One of the UK’s best-selling children’s writers, Francesca has published over 50 books, including the immensely popular HORRID HENRY series, which has now sold over fifteen milllion copies.
Francesca won the Children’s Book of the Year in 2008 at the British Book Awards for Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman. HORRID HENRY is published in 24 countries and is also an animated CITV series. She lives in London with her husband, son, and Tibetan Spaniel, Shanti.
