Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales: Retold by Naomi Lewis

by Naomi Lewis (Adaptor, Translator), Hans Christian Andersen, Jan Pieńkowski (introduction)

Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales is an enchanting collection, retold by writer and critic Naomi Lewis, and contains twelve of Hans Christian Andersen's magnificent stories including Thumbelina, a little girl no more than a thumb-joint high, The Emperor's New Clothes, the tale of a man who cares only for his appearance and The Little Mermaid, who longs to one day marry a human prince.

With a wonderful introduction by award-winning picture-book creator Jan Pienkowski.

The book includes a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who's who, activities and more..

The Puffin Classics reissue
A Little Princess
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass
Anne of Green Gables series
Black Beauty
Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales
Heidi
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Little Women series
Peter Pan
Tales of the Greek Heroes
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of King Arthur
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Call of the Wild
The Jungle Book
The Odyssey
The Secret Garden
The Wind in the Willows
The Wizard of Oz
Treasure Island

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Short Stories, Fairy Tales

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2024

About the author

British poet, essayist, literary critic, anthologist and reteller of stories for children. She is particularly noted for her translations of the Danish children’s author, Hans Christian Andersen, as well as for her critical reviews and essays. She was a recipient of the Eleanor Farjeon Award.

Reviews

[Lucy]

This collection contains a delightful dive into the heart of classic storytelling. The stories featured in this book are filled with magic, whimsy, and deep moral lessons; all in their many different forms.

What really stands out throughout these stories is the recurring theme of longing for something more; whether that be adventure, love, or self-discovery. Many of these tales feature curious characters wishing to explore the vast outside world, or longing to break free from their confined worlds - an idea that feels both timeless and universally relatable.

It is fascinating to see how these short stories have been interpreted and reimagined over the years, to the point where they’ve transformed into iconic references, often beyond recognition of their original form.

Reading these stories was like tracing the origins of some of our most beloved tales and films, sparking a wave of nostalgia for the familiar magic they’ve inspired over the years. Andersen’s characters often find themselves on transformative journeys, and there is something deeply satisfying about seeing where so many of our favourite stories began. This collection is a lovely reminder of the power and timelessness of storytelling, and how it continues to inspire creativity throughout the generations.

Stories include; The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Snow Queen etc.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet little collection! Definitely the prettiest copy of Andersen on my shelves. I enjoyed reading a couple stories before bed each night.

I don't typically read much Andersen because his tales always seem to have a strange sad element that comes out of nowhere. This collection has a couple of those. But it also included two of my new favorites by him: The Happy Family and The Goblin and the Grocer. Both delightful and I had never read them before!

I also loved how lovingly this was translated. Naomi Lewis's introduction and notes clearly show how much she adores these stories. I enjoyed the context she added, especially the quest to "find the author" in each story.

Grateful for this Christmas gift from my dear friend 💜💜💜

[João Vaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be perfectly honest. I got ahold of this book for two reasons. First, the cover, which is to die for. And second, I’ve always wanted to read the original version of The Little Mermaid. It’s a shame that I never had the chance, considering how much I love the Disney adaptation. But now that I’ve read it, I almost wish I hadn’t… The “real” story is SO cruel. Talk about telling kids not to attempt to rise above their station. Anyhow, beyond the dream-shattering tale of a mermaid turned to foam, diving into this book was a nostalgic journey through some favorite childhood tales.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Well, well, well; today’s mishap is tomorrow’s story,’ said the robber girl.

Some of the phrasing in this was absolutely lovely, in a classic/timeless kind of way, and then I'd stumble across a line about "a good child, one who makes its parents happy and deserves their love" or a "naughty, evil child" and it would throw me out of the story. Considering this book is aimed at children, it did feel a bit uncomfortable to leave the 1800s moralising in.

Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the story selection? Maybe I'm a little salty because my favourite ("The Tinderbox") wasn't included, but some of the choices (e.g. "The Happy Family" and "Dance, Dolly, Dance") weren't the best.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales" was a fantastic book. I really enjoyed being able to read it story by story, diving into a different world each time. Some of the endings truly surprised me, they were different from the versions I knew, which made it exciting to discover these original versions. I didn’t find every story equally good, but most had something unique and captivating. Overall, it’s a great read for anyone who loves fairy tales!

[Lauren White · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to even rate this book because the classics are well beyond any review I’m capable of or have right to. I enjoyed reading them to my son, and will enjoy doing so again in a few years when his comprehension is more extensive.

[Joana Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this stories. Some of them were a little to short.

[Casey McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet classic collection. I'm glad I read it. My favorite was The Little Mermaid. 

[Sandy Blackbeak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classical journey back to my childhood🩷

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

very sweet. I loved all the stories

[Lionel Wilesberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

[Clare VS · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great to reread these as an adult and there were also some tales I hadn't heard before. Plenty of nostalgia and this particular version has such a beautiful cover.