Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales - Illustrated by Anne Anderson - Part I
#1 of 6 in Discover Fairy Tales Series
What’s inside...
This collection, 'Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales' contains eighteen of Hans Christian's best-loved tales, illustrated by Anne Anderson. The stories, including 'Little Ida's Flowers', 'The Red Shoes', and 'The Snow Queen', among others, are known for their sophisticated moral teachings and colloquial style, which broke new ground in Danish literature. Andersen is celebrated for his ability to enchant children and adults alike, with tales that hold a permanent place in literature. Anne Anderson, a prolific illustrator known for her art nouveau style, enhances the storytelling with her charming illustrations, published by Pook Press to celebrate the 'Golden Age of Illustration'. Additionally, 'Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales' is recognized for its enduring popularity in children’s literature, preserved and presented by Forgotten Books using state-of-the-art technology.
Discussion points
Which fairy tale did you enjoy the most, and why?
How did the characters' choices affect the outcome of the story?
What would you do differently if you were in the place of one of the protagonists?
Can you think of a time when you faced a similar challenge to a character in the book?
How do the illustrations enhance the story for you?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the tales, encourage your child to relate the stories to their own experiences to enhance personal connections.
Ask your child to describe their favorite character in detail, discussing both physical and personality traits to deepen understanding.
Explore the moral of each story together, discussing its relevance and application in contemporary settings to enhance critical thinking.
Encourage your child to imagine alternate endings for the stories, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Use the illustrations as a talking point to discuss visual storytelling and how images can convey emotions and details about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: Many stories in 'Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales' such as 'The Little Match Girl' showcase the importance of empathy by illustrating the struggles of others.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of understanding and caring for people who might be going through challenging times, encouraging them to offer help and kindness in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Tales such as 'The Ugly Duckling' demonstrate how characters overcome adversity and rejection through persistence, ultimately achieving their true potential.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of staying determined despite difficulties and inspires them to keep striving towards their goals even when facing obstacles.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: In 'The Emperor’s New Clothes', the emperor's greed for the most magnificent clothing leads him to embarrassment, teaching a humorous yet poignant lesson on the pitfalls of vanity and greed.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of humility and the dangers of excessive vanity or greed in their personal lives, promoting a sense of contentment with what they have.
Example Lesson: The value of truth
Explanation: Stories like 'The Snow Queen' involve characters who must discern the truth from lies to save someone they love, illustrating the virtue of truth and honesty.
Real-World Application: It conveys to children the importance of being truthful and the positive outcomes honesty can bring in real-life situations, such as building trust with others.
Example Lesson: The importance of being environmentally conscious
Explanation: Andersen's 'The Last Dream of the Old Oak Tree' gives a voice to nature, emphasizing the need to respect and care for the environment around us.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to take actions that support the environment, like recycling, conserving water, or planting trees, fostering an early sense of environmental responsibility.