Graceful and full of rich humor, Stephen Mitchell's retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's THE NIGHTINGALE is paired with impeccably researched, astonishingly beautiful paintings by Bagram Ibatoulline. The Emperor of China lives in the most marvelous palace in the world, made entirely of porcelain, and his garden is full of the rarest flowers. But loveliest of all - so say visitors to his realm - is the song of the nightingale in the forest by the sea. Though his bustling courtiers can't find her, a clever kitchen maid can, and the nightingale soon enchants the Emperor with her song. But will the gift of a bejeweled bird with a mechanical tune replace the humble nightingale in his heart? Warmly and accessibly retold by master translator Stephen Mitchell, this definitive edition features breathtakingly intricate artwork by Bagram Ibatoulline, illustrator of CROSSING.
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.
