Tom Thumb

by Hans Christian Andersen

Picture book of the story of Tom Thumb.

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

10 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 1985

About the author

Hans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories — called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality.

Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being reminded of this story that I used to watch when I was younger I had to read the original tale to see where it all began.

[Jami Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a farmer who was sad because he didn't have any children. His wife finally had a child, and he was no bigger than a thumb. Tom was so small that he fit inside a teacup. Tom's dad was scared for Tom and never let Tom help him do anything because he thought that he wasn't capable. Tom proved him wrong. A man approached Tom's dad and asked if he could come work for him. Tom went with the man but the man was a bad man and Tom ran away. Next Tom met robbers and tricked them and made them flee. Then Tom managed to get into a cows mouth. Tom got out of the cows mouth with meat stuck on it. A wolf grabbed the meat with Tom stuck onto it. Tom tricked the wolf into taking them to Tom's house where Tom's dad chased the wolf off.

Lesson: Don't take someone's size for granted. Some people will take advantage of you because you are different, just because someone is different that doesn't mean they are not educated.

[Esmee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t take someone for granted just because they are different doesn’t mean they are not educated.

“Tom Thumb may have been a real person born around 1519, as there is a grave purporting to be his. It is set into the floor adjacent to the font of the main chapel in Holy Trinity Church at Tattershall, Lincolnshire, UK. The inscription reads: "T. THUMB, Aged 101 Died 1620". The grave measures just 16" (40 cm) in length.” —> Wikipedia

Dutch version: Pinkeltje

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about the smallest hero among the knights of King Arthur's Round Table. It is entertaining to pass through the story where Tom Thumb outshines all of his contemporaries by being the only knight successful at saving King Arthur.

[Sarah Hasanat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful story.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read the full story from my childhood and it was just as I remember.

[Brenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this story was silly and improbable, which sounds like a perfect fairy-tale right? Wrong. It was a quick and easy read and if that is what you are looking for, by all means give it a chance, but if you're wanting something fun and that makes sense, keep looking.

[EvaLovesYA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg elsker H.C. Andersen!
Primært læst i forbindelse med et praktikforløb, hvor jeg promoverede og skrev artikler om forfatterskabet, eventyr og Odense.

[Colleen Houck]

I think the origin of Tom Thumb appeals to me more than anything else. I like the idea of a poor but happy, childless couple being given the gift of a tiny son. He had quite a few adventures. Maybe his parents were too old to keep track of him.