Good morning everyone today one Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two fabulous books by Helen Russell.
I absolutely loved The Year Of Loving Danishly as it was absolutely fascinating learning more about life in a different country. I’m therefore very intrigued to read her new book, How To Raise A Viking, as I’m very intrigued to see how parenting differs in Denmark. I’m wondering if I’ll pick up a few tips on how to change my own parenting.
Huge thanks to @indie_thinking and @4thestatebooks for my copy of How To Raise A Viking.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?
The Year Of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
Given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: Denmark, land of long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries, was the happiest place on earth.
Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness.
From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes, The Year of Living Danishly records a funny, poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishly ourselves.
In this new edition, six years on Helen reveals how her life and family have changed, and explores how Denmark, too – or. her understanding of it – has shifted. It’s a messy and flawed place, she concludes – but can still be a model for a better way of living.
How To Raise A Viking by Helen Russell
What do Vikings know about raising children? Turns out, quite a lot…
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 use a bit more Viking in our lives.
About The Author:
Helen Russell is a British journalist and internationally bestselling author of The Year of Living Danishly, Leap Year, Gone Viking, The Atlas of Happiness and How To Be Sad – the key to a happier life.
Formerly the editor of MarieClaire.co.uk, Helen has worked as a Scandinavia correspondent for the Guardian, as well as writing a longstanding column for the Telegraph. She now lives in Denmark and writes for titles including The Observer, Stylist, Metro, Grazia and The Independent.
Over The Rainbow Blog 