Product Description: Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author best known for writing children's stories including "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." But he didn't just write short stories, and his intended audience wasn't restricted to children...read more

A prince disguises himself as a swineherd and learns the true character of the princess he desires

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author best known for writing children's stories including "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." But he didn't just write short stories, and his intended audience wasn't restricted to children. In addition to his fairy tales, Andersen wrote poems, plays, novels, travel books, essays, and more. He hungered for recognition at home (Denmark) and abroad—and he got it! Eventually. Today, his stories can be read in over one hundred languages. But no matter what language they're in, Andersen's tales have got something for everyone. In them, you'll find beauty, tragedy, nature, religion, artfulness, deception, betrayal, love, death, judgment, penance, and—occasionally—a happy ending. They're complex tales, but since Andersen himself was pretty complex, we like to think that art imitates life. Or something like that. Includes vintage illustration!

There is a happiness which no poet has yet properly sung, which no lady-reader, let her be ever so amiable, has experienced or ever will experience in this world. This is a condition of happiness which alone belongs to the male sex, and even then alone to the elect. It is a moment of life which seizes upon our feelings, our minds, our whole being. Tears have been shed by the innocent, sleepless nights been passed, during which the pious mother, the loving sister, have put up prayers to God for this critical moment in the life of the son or the brother. Happy moment, which no woman, let her be ever so good, so beautiful, or intellectual, can experience -- that of becoming a student, or, to describe it by a more usual term, the passing of the first examination! This spring-day of life, on which the ice-covering of the school is broken, when the tree of Hope puts forth its buds and the sun of Freedom shines, falls with us, as is well known, in the month of October, just when Nature loses her foliage, when the evenings begin to grow darker, and when heavy winter-clouds draw together, as though they would say to youth, -- "Your spring, the birth of the examination, is only a dream! even now does your life become earnest!" But our happy youths think not of these things, neither will we be joyous with the gay, and pay a visit to their circle. In such a one our story takes its commencement.

Only the size of a thumb, Thumbelina avoids marriage with a toad, beetle, and mole, and through her kindness to an injured swallow, finds the right husband

Only the size of a thumb, Thumbelina avoids marriage with a toad, beetle, and mole, and through her kindness to an injured swallow, finds the right husband

A childless woman asks a witch for a wish and is awarded with a tiny little girl

When her eleven brothers are turned into mute swans by their evil stepmother, brave Eliza endures great suffering to break the spell and rescue them. A story of loyalty, deceit, and the healing power of love, this classic fairy tale is exquisitely illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Luminous new jacket art, newly rendered interior art, and gold foil throughout enhance the wonderment of this glorious, largeformat reissue.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

A timeless classic, illustrated by Sydney-based artist Kilmeny Niland. Ages 3+.

The perilous adventures of a toy soldier who loves a paper dancing girl culminate in tragedy for both of them.

The perilous adventures of a toy soldier who loves a paper dancing girl culminates in tragedy for both of them

Offers thirteen illustrated fairy tales from the Danish author, and includes an introduction to the author and to each story.

This delightful collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales includes the following classic favorites: - The Emperor's New Clothes - The Swineherd - The Real Princess - The Shoes of Fortune - The Fir Tree - The Snow Queen - The Leap-Frog - The Elderbush - The Bell - The Old House - The Happy Family - The Story of a Mother - The False Collar - The Shadow - The Little Match Girl - The Dream of Little Tuk - The Naughty Boy - The Red Shoes A great introduction to this beloved storyteller for all ages.

A young girl feels a pea through twenty mattresses and twenty featherbeds and proves she is a real princess

In this adaptation of 'The Princess and the Pea,' the prince is ready for marriage but the Queen is more concerned with her jewelry collection.