The Last Viking Returns

Multi-award-winning writer Norman Jorgensen was born in Broome and lived a happy, Huckleberry Finn-like childhood. He has worked in the book trade for much of his life, and in his spare time, he loves to read, travel and take photographs. He now lives in a hundred-year-old house near the city with his wife, Jan Nicholls, a children’s book devotee. Norman began writing when in primary school and had a story read on the ABC Radio Argonauts Club, but it took many years before his first picture book, In Flanders Fields, beautifully illustrated by Brian Harrison-Lever, was published. Norman has since published three novels – Jack’s Island, The Smuggler’s Curse and his latest, The Wreckers’ Revenge – and two picture books with local illustrator James Foley – The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns.

James Foley makes picture books, middle grade novels and comics for kids. He’s the author/illustrator of the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series for middle primary: Brobot, Dungzilla, Gastronauts and Chickensaurus. The series stars Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, and Joe Tinker, full-time baby. James also illustrated the Toffle Towers series written by Tim Harris; the cult-favourite and CBCA-shortlisted My Dead Bunny; and its follow-up, There’s Something Weird About Lena. James contributed to Total Quack Up and Funny Bones, both anthologies of funny stories with proceeds going to charity. His earlier books In The Lion, The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Raven list. His latest book, Stellarphant, has been shortlisted for the 2022 Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year, shortlisted for the 2021 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction, shortlisted for the 2021 WA Premier’s Book Awards and the 2022 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards.