The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen

An exciting new compilation of Hans Christian Andersens world-famous fairy tales

The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen presents the most famous Andersen stories, including classics such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Princess and the Pea in a highly esteemed 1942 translation by Jean Hersholt. The book contains a sparkling and unexpected selection of beautiful artwork from the 1900s to the 1980s by legends of fantasy — the deeply influential Kay Nielsen and beloved Arthur Rackham, the distinctive talents of Swedish luminary Einar Nerman and the revered Czech visionary Josef Palecek, the eccentric Tom Seidmann-Freud (niece of Sigmund Freud), and the groundbreaking film animator Lotte Reiniger, as well as exciting, newly discovered talents. It also features historic and contemporary silhouettes, which enrich the presentation of Andersens tales in a one-of-a-kind format and make this a fresh addition to childrens libraries as well as adult art book collections. In addition to the tales and illustrations, the compilation also contains an introduction to Andersens legacy, brief historical introductions to each fairy tale, and extended artists biographies in the appendix. For adults and children alike, this lovingly researched and designed edition shares the eternal magic of Andersens tales, celebrating these tender, heartfelt stories that have entered both our collective imagination and literary cannon.

 

• Brings together the most famous Hans Christian Andersen tales in a one-of-a-kind design
• Features illustrations by famous artists from Austria, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, the Ukraine, and the United States in a unique format pairing one tale with one artist
• Includes a highly-esteemed translation by Jean Hersholt accessible to readers of all ages
• Contains dozens of all-new silhouettes specially commissioned for the book and well as vintage gems by fine artists

Following 23 fairy tales are featured in the book:

The Princess and the Pea, The Nightingale, The Swineherd, The Old Man is Always Right, The Little Mermaid, The Emperors New Clothes, The Darning Needle, Twelve by Mail, The Brave Tin Soldier, The Snow Queen, The Flea and the Professor, Thumbelina, The Sweethearts, Ole Lukoie, Five Peas in a Pod, The Ugly Duckling, Little Idas Flowers, The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, The Flying Trunk, The Little Match Girl, The Tinderbox, The Pen and Inkstand, and The Farmyard Cock and the Weathercock

The translator Jean Hersholt (1886-1956) was a Danish-born actor whose Hollywood and radio careers flourished in the 1920s through 1950s. He was also an avid collector of Hans Christian Andersen books, which now reside in the Library of Congress, and he dedicated years of his life to translating all 168 of Andersens tales from the original Danish, which were first published in 1942 and which is considered one of the finest English translations. One of Hersholts most famous roles was as Shirley Temples grandfather in the 1937 film Heidi. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is presented each year at the Oscars.