Ingrid has everything a Viking could want--a cozy home, a best friend, and very cute kittens. But she's always wanted one more thing, to win the Strongest Viking Contest. Her only problem? She doesn't know how to swim! Her best friend Stig is determined to help her learn . . . but along the way Ingrid learns that that some things are even more important than winning.

Bang! Whack! Whirrr! It's time for a birdhouse building contest! Opal's friends all have endless ideas on how to make their constructions stand out. There are bells, pom-poms, basketballs, and many more materials to use--and yet Opal still feels stuck. Maybe a simple, sturdy piece wood...a few nails and screws will be just right. But when the judges don't pick Opal's birdhouse, she may still discover that her humble home is just right for someone...