Four classic fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, read by David Tennant, Anne-Marie Duff, Sir Derek Jacobi and Penelope Wilton. Here are four of Hans Christian Andersen’s best-loved short stories, specially adapted for young children and read by some of Britain’s most well-known actors. The Brave Tin Soldier read by David Tennant: A one-legged toy soldier falls in love with a paper ballerina. Thumbelina read by Anne-Marie Duff: A tiny but beautiful girl grows from a barleycorn which has been enchanted by a witch. The Nightingale read by Sir Derek Jacobi: An emperor prefers a sparkling mechanical bird to the song of a real nightingale. The Ugly Duckling read by Penelope Wilton: A little bird is called ugly by others until he matures into a beautiful swan.
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.
