A compilation classic and timeless fairy tales from author, Hans Christian Andersen, including: 'The Ugly Duckling', 'The Emperor's New Clothes', 'The Little Match Girl', and many more.

This book and its companion by the Brothers Grimm has been on our family bookshelves probably since 1945. The book itself is a work of art: from its binding, to its type font, to the one color illustrations, to the full color sheets including those inside the front and back covers. The stories themselves however, are far from beautiful. Most images created by the idyllic and poetic descriptions are mutilated by gruesome events that would make Stephen King cringe. While the storks are bringing babies to the good people they also deliver a little dead baby to the boy who tormented them when he was young. The little girl with the enchanted red shoes goes to the executioner to have her feet cut off so that she won’t keep on dancing. Another little girl sank into a bog and had adventures in Bogeyland that would terrify Alice. When you add in the effect of the age of the stories, the translation, and the sense that the stories jump suddenly as if Anderson were telling them to you at bedtime, it is a very strange volume. ( )

When I was young, I read this constantly...over & over. Even when I come across a copy now I cannot resist reading at least a few of my favourite tales. ( )