A retelling of a Danish tale in which a magical talking pot causes a poor family to triumph over a rich couple.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
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 Ugly Duckling
An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year excluded by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.
Thumbelina
After being kidnapped by a toad, a beautiful girl no bigger than a thumb has a series of dreadful experiences and makes many animal friends before meeting fairy prince just her size.
The Swineherd
A prince disguises himself as a swineherd and learns the true character of the princess he desires. After the author of this story finishes relating it, his animal audience presents an alternative ending.
Hubert the Pudge: A Vegetarian Tale
As one of many Pudgies awaiting their trip to the meat factory from the Pudge Processing Farm, little Hubert escapes to the jungle where the animals show him all the good foods he can eat and, as a result, he becomes the first Pudge to achieve full size since ancient times.
Han’s Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale
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.
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.