Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

by Hans Christian Andersen, Kay Nielsen (Illustrator), Joan D. Vinge (Foreword by)

Overview

Some of our most well-known tales were originated by the pen of Hans Christian Andersen. A prolific writer, Andersen’s oeuvre includes plays, novels, and poems but he is most well-regarded for his fairy tales. Stories such as “The Princess and the Pea”,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes” are incredibly well-known and all from the mind of this illustrious fairy tale author.

This lovely edition features color and black and white illustrations by Danish artist Kay Nielsen as well as all new foreword by Joan D. Vinge. There is an otherworldly quality in Nielsen’s art-deco styled pieces that provide adventurous and vibrant versions of these sixteen stories. The art still feels completely fresh and unique in this collection of masterworks featuring including “The Nightingale,” “The Red Shoes,” “The Snow Queen,” and others.

These enchanting stories are wonderful for children, and collectors of fine art alike. Experience these classics again, and pick up this beautiful edition of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631581335
Publisher:	Racehorse
Publication date:	08/01/2017
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	618,448
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 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

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

School Library Journal

This collection of eight tales includes relatively unknown stories, such as "The Rose Tree Regiment," along with such familiar favorites as "The Princess & the Pea." Bell's finesse in writing is well matched by Zwerger's delicate, understated approach in the illustrations, which are introspective rather than dramatic. Sophisticated in design, the book features fluid watercolors and wide-bordered text on tall, white pages. Children accustomed to picture book versions of the stories will find far fewer illustrations for the amount of text; for instance, only one picture appears within "The Emperor's New Clothes." A handsome edition.

Carolyn Phelan

Listeners will be fascinated by these original stories from Hans Christian Andersen—no Disney adaptations here. They’re richly voiced by F. Murray Abraham and enlivened by a cast of acclaimed narrators who add playful differentiation to the many characters. The tales range from the familiar “Thumbelina,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “The Princess and the Pea” to those less well known like “The Rags” and “Luck Can Be Found on a Stick.” They’re filled with surprises for those acquainted only with the sanitized versions, with many missing the happy endings we’re used to hearing. Abraham’s elegant narration and measured pacing provide the perfect foil to the more whimsical style of those portraying the characters in this engaging production. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2019 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2018 - AudioFile