This book is suitable for children age 9 and above. Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales are very well-known throughout the whole world. His popular stories include The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea. Read about how a boy from simple beginnings became a famous poet and writer loved by children all over the world and respected by royalty.

Classic fairy tales translated from Danish to English.

Welcome to the wonderful fairytale world of Hans Christian Andersen . . . retold for today's children by Martin Waddell, the much-loved author of Owl Babies and Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? This classic collection brings together nine favourite stories, from the fun and humour of the proud Emperor with his splendid new clothes, to the gentle sadness of the Little Mermaid. With a colourful cast of witches, princesses, toys and animals, this rich and varied collection is guaranteed to delight and entertain readers young and old. Emma Chichester Clark's glorious illustrations bring the tales vividly to life, making this book a joy to share and a gift to treasure.

On the bicentennial of Hans Christian Andersen’s birth, this collection takes Andersen out of the nursery and places him squarely in the literary pantheon. While Andersen’s tales continue to seize the imagination with their singular blend of simplicity, eccentricity, and charm, English-language readers have until now had to content themselves with inaccurate retellings and inadequate translations. Diana Crone Frank, a Danish novelist and linguist, and Jeffrey Frank, a novelist and editor at the New Yorker, offer a much-needed modern translation. In this collection are twenty-two tales that best represent Andersen’s literary legacy, including such classics as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “Thumbelisa,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” as well as largely unfamiliar stories like “By the Outermost Sea.” Illuminating notes clarify references in the tales. And in an introductory essay, the Franks explore the writer and his times, placing the enigmatic and often bizarre figure of Andersen among his literary contemporaries, such as Charles Dickens and Søren Kierkegaard, with whom he crossed paths; and they bring to life Andersen’s fascinating relationship with the United States. Illustrated with the delicate and beautiful drawings that accompanied the original Danish publication, The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen will delight readers of all ages.

More than 150 tales from Hans Christian Andersen, including such classics as "Thumbelina," "The Snow Queen," and "The Ugly Duckling," are collected for this beautifully illustrated volume.