Eleven fairy tales by the master storyteller are retold in a voice that is fresh and inventive and yet always true to the spirit of Andersen. The jaunty, playful illustrations add to the fun, bringing out with humor and verve all the childlike aspects of the tales.
Fantasy
Fantasy genre
The Wild Swans
Eleven brothers, turned into wild swans by an evil stepmother, are saved by the sacrifices of their beautiful sister, Elise.
The Tinderbox
A retelling of Andersen’s classic tale of a brave soldier who finds love and fortune in a magic tinderbox
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.
The Snow Queen
The strength of a little girl’s love enables her to overcome many obstacles and free a boy from the Snow Queen’s spell.
The Nightingale
Despite being neglected by the emperor for a jewel-studded bird, the little nightingale revives the dying ruler with its beautiful song.
Thumbelina
After being kidnapped by an ugly toad, a beautiful girl no bigger than a thumb has a series of dreadful experiences before meeting a fairy prince just her size.
Pepi Sings a New Song
Pepi loves to sing. But he needs a new song. Will you help me find one?
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 Snow Dog’s Journey
Anna builds a dog of snow, which the Frost King admires and takes away with him, but when Anna’s love and faith eventually reunite her with Snow Dog, they each get their fondest wish.