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Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
This enchanting collection, retold by writer and critic Naomi Lewis, contains twelve of Hans Christian Andersen's magnificent stories. It includes 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 cover illustration and new introduction by award-winning picture-book creator Jan Pienkowski.
200 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Naomi Lewis
131 books3 followersBritish 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 13, 2018
This is a collection of twelve of Andersen’s fairy tales translated by Naomi Lewis. Prior to reading this edition, I was familiar with six of the stories (“The Princess and the Pea,” “Thumbelina,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Snow Queen”). The other stories (“The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” “The Nightingale,” “The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep,” “The Happy Family,” “The Goblin at the Grocers,” and “Dance, Dolly, Dance”) were to the best of my memory new to me. Overall, the stories in the collection were somewhat enjoyable, some more than others, but sometimes dull as well. This could be due to the translation, though I would need to read other translations to compare. I’d say I enjoyed “The Little Mermaid,” “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” and “The Nightingale” most. At times, the tales came across too heavy-handed with their moral messages or Andersen’s personal feelings.
The cover illustration for this edition is lovely and certainly draws the eye, but it looks as if it was created by someone who had only a general idea of the stories. The characters on the cover were not drawn as they were actually described in the stories. The illustrations throughout the book were more accurate; however, I didn’t find the sketches particularly attractive or magical. Instead, they appeared fairly rough.
The edition does contain some interesting background information about Andersen and each of the chosen tales, though it’s simple and likely intended for kids and/or those new to fairy tales rather than adults interested in language choices, different translations, story origins and development over time, etc.
This isn’t the most enjoyable collection of fairy tales I’ve read, but I am happy to have read it and learned more about Andersen’s process. I’d recommend this collection to fans of fairy tales with the understanding that this edition may not be the most engaging or well-researched collection of fairy tales available.
The cover illustration for this edition is lovely and certainly draws the eye, but it looks as if it was created by someone who had only a general idea of the stories. The characters on the cover were not drawn as they were actually described in the stories. The illustrations throughout the book were more accurate; however, I didn’t find the sketches particularly attractive or magical. Instead, they appeared fairly rough.
The edition does contain some interesting background information about Andersen and each of the chosen tales, though it’s simple and likely intended for kids and/or those new to fairy tales rather than adults interested in language choices, different translations, story origins and development over time, etc.
This isn’t the most enjoyable collection of fairy tales I’ve read, but I am happy to have read it and learned more about Andersen’s process. I’d recommend this collection to fans of fairy tales with the understanding that this edition may not be the most engaging or well-researched collection of fairy tales available.
March 31, 2018
Really love the cover of this version by Puffin Classic. I got this book from OwlCrate Jr November box "CURSES". Hans Christian Andersen is well-known for his details in description of settings. Although some stories are a little bit slow paced and very simple in its form, the signature mark he left in each story is obvious. Most of his stories are fables and adventurous fantasy of children. I take some times to finish this book since I read three books at the same time this month. Two of them are short stories compilation (this HCA's Fairy Tales and The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu which took me so long to move on from one story to another since this book (The Paper Menagerie) IS SO HEARTBREAKING in every page of it). My favorite story of this book of Hans Christian Andersen is 'The Nightingale'. It is so nice to finally reading a middle grade classic again after I wandered long in contemporary and scifi.
June 19, 2017
This is a great collection of Hans Christian Andersen's stories. While I knew several of the stories, I had never sat down and read them. I was excited to read the stories I had never read, and especially the ones I had never heard of before. The Little Mermaid, and The Snow Queen in their original story lines were awesome. Everyone should read these at some point in their life. So many stories are inspired by these, it's amazing.
December 15, 2017
As an avid reader, you would think that I would be more familiar with classic fairy tales but really, this is my first experience reading Andersen's stories. After reading this collection, I do see, however, how they have helped shape classic movies and stories, as well as more recent retellings.
As with other collections of short stories, I think I will briefly discuss each one individually.
"The Princess and the Pea"
Of the stories in this collection, this one was the one I was probably the most familiar with. I think almost everyone knows the story of the Princess and the Pea. I did find it really quick, I think it was only a couple pages, and I would have preferred to see this story fleshed out a bit more instead of some of the other longer ones. 3/5 stars.
"Thumbelina"
I wasn't super familiar with this story going in. I know there's a Disney movie based on it, but I don't know if I ever really watched it. It was interesting enough but nothing too spectacular. 3/5 stars.
"The Emperor's New Clothes"
I really enjoyed this story! I thought it was hilarious and says a lot about society and how people want to be perceived. No one wanted to be seen as unfit for their position so they just played along. It took a child to point out that the emperor didn't have any clothes on! On a slightly unrelated note, if anyone wants to write a fairy tale retelling based on this story (or already has), I'd be down to read it! 4/5 stars.
"The Little Mermaid"
Another story I was fairly familiar with, because if nothing else, I've seen the Disney movie. This story, however, was a little bit different and didn't have the happily-ever-after romance with the mermaid and the prince. I was fine with this ending and I found the slight variations really interesting. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Steadfast Tin Soldier"
I may be way off here but part of me feels like there is a similar story (or at least one with a toy soldier) in Leigh Bardugo's collection of fairy tales. I can't remember the details of that one, but it would be really cool if that story was based on this one. I thought the story was ok, but nothing too special. 3/5 stars.
"The Nightingale"
I enjoyed this story as well - I think I might just be a sucker for personifications of Death (and I know that was just a small part of this story). It was one of those "the grass isn't always greener" stories and focused on respecting what you have. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Ugly Duckling"
This is another story that many people are likely familiar with. I feel like I read a picture book version of this story when I was a kid but I forgot some of the details. It was a cute story about being different and accepting that difference. 3/5 stars.
"The Snow Queen"
I recently read a book that was a fairy tale retelling based on this story, but I hadn't heard of it before reading that book. I definitely understand some of the references and things that happened in that book more after reading the story. I think it was a little long, it's the longest in this collection, and there were some parts that seemed a little random, but generally, it was good. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep"
I don't really know if I get this story. To be honest, I don't really remember much about what happened in it, despite the fact that it is one of the later stories in the collection - so I think that speaks volumes for my interest and enjoyment of this story. 2/5 stars.
"The Happy Family"
I think this is one of those ones where Andersen used animals instead of humans, but this story could have just as easily been about a human prince finding a wife. 2.5/5 stars.
"The Goblin at the Grocer's"
I think I wanted to like this one more than I did. I think there is a deeper message that I'm just not getting with this one. It kind of reminded me of Vassa in the Night, which I know is based on a different fairy tale, but I still found it similar and interesting. 4/5 stars/
"Dance, Dolly, Dance"
This was another one where I don't think I really 'got' the meaning behind it. I don't know what Andersen was trying to say with this one and it just seemed too short to get much out of it. 2/5 stars.
Overall, this was an interesting and informative collection of some of Andersen's more popular, and lesser-known short stories.
As with other collections of short stories, I think I will briefly discuss each one individually.
"The Princess and the Pea"
Of the stories in this collection, this one was the one I was probably the most familiar with. I think almost everyone knows the story of the Princess and the Pea. I did find it really quick, I think it was only a couple pages, and I would have preferred to see this story fleshed out a bit more instead of some of the other longer ones. 3/5 stars.
"Thumbelina"
I wasn't super familiar with this story going in. I know there's a Disney movie based on it, but I don't know if I ever really watched it. It was interesting enough but nothing too spectacular. 3/5 stars.
"The Emperor's New Clothes"
I really enjoyed this story! I thought it was hilarious and says a lot about society and how people want to be perceived. No one wanted to be seen as unfit for their position so they just played along. It took a child to point out that the emperor didn't have any clothes on! On a slightly unrelated note, if anyone wants to write a fairy tale retelling based on this story (or already has), I'd be down to read it! 4/5 stars.
"The Little Mermaid"
Another story I was fairly familiar with, because if nothing else, I've seen the Disney movie. This story, however, was a little bit different and didn't have the happily-ever-after romance with the mermaid and the prince. I was fine with this ending and I found the slight variations really interesting. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Steadfast Tin Soldier"
I may be way off here but part of me feels like there is a similar story (or at least one with a toy soldier) in Leigh Bardugo's collection of fairy tales. I can't remember the details of that one, but it would be really cool if that story was based on this one. I thought the story was ok, but nothing too special. 3/5 stars.
"The Nightingale"
I enjoyed this story as well - I think I might just be a sucker for personifications of Death (and I know that was just a small part of this story). It was one of those "the grass isn't always greener" stories and focused on respecting what you have. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Ugly Duckling"
This is another story that many people are likely familiar with. I feel like I read a picture book version of this story when I was a kid but I forgot some of the details. It was a cute story about being different and accepting that difference. 3/5 stars.
"The Snow Queen"
I recently read a book that was a fairy tale retelling based on this story, but I hadn't heard of it before reading that book. I definitely understand some of the references and things that happened in that book more after reading the story. I think it was a little long, it's the longest in this collection, and there were some parts that seemed a little random, but generally, it was good. 3.5/5 stars.
"The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep"
I don't really know if I get this story. To be honest, I don't really remember much about what happened in it, despite the fact that it is one of the later stories in the collection - so I think that speaks volumes for my interest and enjoyment of this story. 2/5 stars.
"The Happy Family"
I think this is one of those ones where Andersen used animals instead of humans, but this story could have just as easily been about a human prince finding a wife. 2.5/5 stars.
"The Goblin at the Grocer's"
I think I wanted to like this one more than I did. I think there is a deeper message that I'm just not getting with this one. It kind of reminded me of Vassa in the Night, which I know is based on a different fairy tale, but I still found it similar and interesting. 4/5 stars/
"Dance, Dolly, Dance"
This was another one where I don't think I really 'got' the meaning behind it. I don't know what Andersen was trying to say with this one and it just seemed too short to get much out of it. 2/5 stars.
Overall, this was an interesting and informative collection of some of Andersen's more popular, and lesser-known short stories.
July 30, 2017
dnf @ 52%.
rating: 2.5-3/5 stars.
stories i read: the princess and the pea, thumbelina, the emperor's new clothes, the little mermaid, the steadfast tin solider, the nightingale, the ugly duckling, & 2-3 pages of the snow queen.
--
i really wanted to like this more, i really did. i just can't help feeling incredibly bored through these stories. i'm not quite sure if its because i'm older, or if the stories are really that drab. the only story i found likable was the ugly duckling, but even that one was nearly 100 pages in. all in all, i'm going to be keeping my edition of this book, and will hopefully pick this up later when i'm feeling these stories more.
rating: 2.5-3/5 stars.
stories i read: the princess and the pea, thumbelina, the emperor's new clothes, the little mermaid, the steadfast tin solider, the nightingale, the ugly duckling, & 2-3 pages of the snow queen.
--
i really wanted to like this more, i really did. i just can't help feeling incredibly bored through these stories. i'm not quite sure if its because i'm older, or if the stories are really that drab. the only story i found likable was the ugly duckling, but even that one was nearly 100 pages in. all in all, i'm going to be keeping my edition of this book, and will hopefully pick this up later when i'm feeling these stories more.
April 11, 2016
fairy tales still get to me, news at 11
May 9, 2017
Definitely a must! Love all the Fairytales, they would make you feel like a child again...
July 30, 2017
The Emperor's New Clothes, The Happy Family, Thumbelina
December 31, 2017
I think I'll stick to the Disney adaptations...
February 29, 2024
This message is for Jonah Hauer-King’s agent and Jonah Hauer-King’s agent only.
Book him more audiobooks. Please. Thank you.
Book him more audiobooks. Please. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews