How To Train Your Dragon Writer Says She's Still Starstruck By David Tennant



Cressida Cowell, the author of the How To Train Your Dragon series of novels, says that she is still in awe of David Tennant, even though she has been watching him narrate her books for many years. David has read the whole series of twelve audio books relating the saga of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the greatest ever Viking hero. 

"David has a small part in the films voicing Spitelout Jorgenson but he’s actually done all our audio books for us from the very beginning," Cressida explained. "He does every character, going from a Scottish accent to Irish and American within seconds. It’s amazing. We were so lucky to get him as it was before he did Doctor Who, but he’s been so loyal he has come back to do them ever since. I actually get to sit in the studio and watch him doing it. But because the books were inspired by this little isle in Scotland, I really wanted the narrator to be Scottish too."

She adds that David pays incredible attention to the detail of the stories. "One time he broke off and said, 'I think you made a bit of a mistake here.' He’s so smart, he spots even the tiniest discrepancy. He's such a very bright guy and a brilliant actor."

The books have been the basis of two movies and three animated series, voiced by Hollywood stars including Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill and Cate Blanchett. Cressida says, "I love being on the red carpet and it’s lovely to meet the actors like Gerard Butler, but at heart I am a book writer. Although I have to admit, seeing David Tennant recording a whole book in pretty much one take is just incredible to watch.”

The twelfth and final novel in the Hiccup series was released on audiobook in July last year.
The book is also available as a download via Audible here




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