The hero of this story is a little bird with a very sweet song-so sweet it brings tears to the eyes of the Chinese Emperor and charms Death right back into the graveyard.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
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.
Dom Deluise’s The Nightingale
In this retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, a marvelous bird helps King Lucky realize that beauty is directly linked to freedom and it includes recipes for Bird in a Cage of Bread and Court Jester Cookies.
The Wild Swans
Eleven brothers, turned into wild swans by an evil stepmother, are saved by the sacrifices of their beautiful sister, Elise.
The Emperor’s New Clothes
In this version of Andersen’s tale by John A. Rowe, the emperor loves shopping and new clothes, but he is still tricked by two rascals.
The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen
A biography of the famous Danish writer of fairy tales, interspersed with excerpts from his stories.
Thumbelina
A tiny girl no bigger than a thumb is stolen by a great ugly toad and subsequently has many adventures and makes many animal friends, before finding the perfect mate in a warm and beautiful southern land.
Far North: Vanishing Cultures
This book describes, in text and photographs, the vanishing culture of the Samis, the reindeer herders of the land in the far north called Finmark.
Hedgie’s Surprise
Hedgie, the hedgehog, helps Henny, the speckled hen, trick the Tomten who has been eating all of Henny’s eggs for breakfast.
The Ladder
A ladder, long forgotten on a lonely lane, sets out to see the world, but finds that people and animals keep using it to climb into the sky and disappear.