Other editions of book Andersen's Fairy Tales

"Every man's life is a fairy-tale written by God's fingers." -Hans Christian Andersen. Although April 2, Andersen's birthday, is celebrated as International Children's Book Day, the beloved Dane and author of more than 138 fairytales, wrote with a depth and sentiment that far exceeded mere bedtime stories. Few tales have been told that match the wit of "The Emperor’s New Clothes", the poignancy of "The Little Match Girl" or the redemptive purity of "The Wild Swans". Listeners both young and young-at-heart will enjoy this collection of freshly-narrated classic tales.

This is Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), the man of our childhood, youth and old age. His fairy tales penetrate into our heart and skin. We smell love and devotion, pain and peace, the past and the eternity in his stories. It seems that he knows the melody of the soul, the best accords of the most beautiful musical instrument… These fairy tales are not for children only, they are, indeed, for all ages and nationalities. New and classic illustrations for the beloved stories which never make one bored, because you shall always read and reread them…

For more than 150 years, Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tales have charmed and entertained audiences around the world. Blending old folk tales with fantasy, the Danish bard’s stories are rich in humor and sharp with irony. The forty-seven fables in this beautifully translated collection tell of kings and princesses, of farm boys and mermaids, of witches and ogres. Some of the tales—like The Little Match Girl and The Emperor’s New Clothes—we know by heart. Others—like The Jumpers and The Flying Trunk—are sure to become instant favorites. Packed with memorable characters (who could forget the Ugly Duckling or the Little Mermaid?), Andersen’s fairy tales have withstood the test of time, delighting generation after generation of children and adults—and they promise to remain bedtime favorites for centuries to come…Translated by Pat Shaw IversenWith a New IntroductionAnd an Afterword by Joanne GreenbergIllustrated with line drawings

Hans Christian Andersen (/ˈændərsən/, Danish: [ˈhænˀs ˈkʰʁestjæn ˈɑnɐsn̩] (About this soundlisten); 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875), in Denmark usually called H.C. Andersen, was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories express themes that transcend age and nationality.

Hans Christian Andersen (/ˈændərsən/, Danish: [ˈhænˀs ˈkʰʁestjæn ˈɑnɐsn̩] (About this soundlisten); 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875), in Denmark usually called H.C. Andersen, was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories express themes that transcend age and nationality.

ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALESIllustratedByHans Christian AndersenILLUSTRATED BY Mykola Murashko (1844-1909) THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHESMany years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character.“These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!” thought the Emperor. “Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately.” And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.“I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth,” said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.“I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers,” said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, “he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than he is.”