Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

by Hans Christian Andersen, Jan Pienkowski (Introduction)

Overview

This enchanting collection, retold by writer and critic Naomi Lewis, contains twelve of Hans Christian Andersen's magnificent stories. It includes Thumbelina, a little girl no more than a thumb-joint high, The Emperor's New Clothes, the tale of a man who cares only for his appearance and The Little Mermaid, who longs to one day marry a human prince. With a wonderful cover illustration and new introduction by award-winning picture-book creator Jan Pienkowski.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780141329017
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/24/2010
Series:	Puffin Classics
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

About the Author

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75) was born in Odense, Denmark, the son of a poor shoemaker and a washerwoman. He once said that ideas for stories 'lie in my mind like seeds and only need the kiss of a sunbeam or a drop of malice to flower'. Hans Andersen's stories began to be translated into English as early as 1846. Since then, numerous editions, and more recently Hollywood songs and a Disney cartoon, have helped to ensure the continuing popularity of the stories in the English-speaking world.

Date of Birth:

April 2, 1805

Date of Death:

August 4, 1875

Place of Birth:

Odense, Denmark

Place of Death:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

The Tinder Box 1

Great Claus and Little Claus 15

The Real Princess 35

The Hardy Tin Soldier 39

The Flying Trunk 53

Ole Luk-Oie 67

The Swineherd 89

The Nightingale 101

The Snow Queen 121

The Red Shoes 173

The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweeper 185

The Shadow 197

The Shirt Collar 219

The Bottle-Neck 225

The Elder Tree Mother 243

The Story of a Mother 259

Editorial Reviews

Zwerger, who has illustrated several Andersen tales as individual picture books, here presents an oversized storybook collection of eight, ranging from the readily familiar (``The Emperor's New Clothes''; ``The Princess and the Pea'') to others that will be new to many readers (``The Rose Tree Regiment''; ``The Jumpers''). She provides a few full-page pictures, at most, for each--just enough to sketch a character, suggest a scene and offer a jumping-off point for the reader's vision. Her lines are characteristically dainty, her palette strong and true--a combination reminiscent of the color plates that frequently embellished texts of yore. Noted translator Bell's retellings are literal and literary, with a leisurely, somewhat old-fashioned feeling created by long, lyrical sentences and descriptions and frequent exclamations and addresses to the reader; they are a fitting match for Zwerger's elegant style. The opening selection, ``The Sandman,'' is, unfortunately, the longest, most rambling and diffuse, and the most clearly European; but after this somewhat difficult beginning, the collection opens a rich world to the reader willing to invest time and imagination in these classic renditions. Ages 4-up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Eleven fairy tales charmingly illustrated and practically formatted allow for ceaseless reading at bedtime, nap time, whenever time. Not all the tales are well-known, which lends to the beauty of this book—there are some surprises. Read your favorite first, then discover the unusual, lesser known tales of this Danish teller of tales. Zwerger's watercolor and ink decorations enhance the text that Andersen would be proud of, as this is published in celebration of his 200th birthday. Reminiscent of early to mid 20th century illustrations, she captures the essence of each story, yet leaves enough to the imagination, inspiring creativity not always presented in a collection such as this. The choice of tales is a wise one; from the familiar "The Princess and the Pea," "The Emperor's New Clothes," and "Thumbeline" to the not so familiar "The Jumpers," "The Sandman," and "The Rose Tree Regiment," as well as the somewhat familiar "The Swineherd," "The Tinderbox," and "The Little Match Girl." Readers are exposed to the best of this classic author, leaving them curious for more and thirsty for fairy tales. 2006 (orig. 1991), Minedition Book/Penguin, Ages 4 to 8.
—Elizabeth Young

Children's Literature

Gr 4 Up-- This handsome edition, containing eight stories, has a few old favorites and some lesser-known tales that can only be found in complete anthologies. Bell's translations are crisp, offering Andersen's wry observations and romantic prose in clean, precise English. The book is asethetically pleasing--long and narrow, with thick, creamy white pages; a fine typeface; and plenty of white space framing text and illustration. Zwerger's elegant pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are typically restrained in palette, utilizing mostly earthen tones. Her compositions are classically balanced, with uncluttered backgrounds, and realistic characters, costumed fancifully. Each story begins with a simple headpiece decoration and is accompanied by one or more plates. A lovely volume. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library

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