The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen

A biography of the famous Danish writer of fairy tales, interspersed with excerpts from his stories.

The Tinderbox

With the help of a magic tinderbox given to him by a witch, a soldier finds a fortune and pursues a princess imprisoned in a castle, in an edition of a classic tale of dark adventure.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most romantic tales, The Steadfast Tin Soldier tells the story of a one-legged tin soldier who suffers a terrible fate all for the love of a beautiful paper dancer. Cursed by a jealous goblin, the toy solider is sent flying out the window to the street below, where a perilous adventure carries him ever further from his love. But throughout his ordeal, the soldier remains sturdy and staunch on his one leg, ever true to his beloved little dancer.

The Ugly Duckling

An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.