“It doesn't matter if you're born in a duck yard, so long as you are hatched from a swan's egg!”—Hans Christian Andersen, “The Ugly Duckling.” Fairy tales are timeless treasures passed from generation to generation, and few are as beloved as those of Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. From the princess so sensitive she is discomforted by a single pea beneath a tower of mattresses to the unfortunate-looking duckling who matures into a stunning swan, these are the stories that stay with us long after we leave childhood behind. First published in 1835, Andersen’s tales continue to delight the modern audience. Now part of the Word Cloud Classics series, Hans Christian Andersen Tales is a chic and affordable collection of these wonderful stories, complete with classics like “Thumbelina” and “The Little Mermaid,” plus some wonderful lesser-known gems to discover anew.
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.
