Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
Look and Find Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (57)
What’s inside...
This collection celebrates the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's birth with 30 fairy tales in a new sparkling translation by Tiina Nunnally. Featuring early stories like 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' poignant tales like 'The Little Mermaid,' and darker adult tales, this beautifully illustrated edition captures Andersen's style and creativity. Additionally, a clothbound hardback edition translated by Naomi Lewis includes well-known stories like 'Thumbelina' and 'The Snow Queen,' as well as lesser-known tales like 'The Goblin at the Grocer's.' Both editions offer a unique collection of the celebrated fairy tales, making them accessible for all ages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the story of The Little Mermaid make you feel about the choices she made?
What lessons can we learn from The Emperor’s New Clothes about honesty and pride?
In The Ugly Duckling, how do you think the duckling felt when he discovered he was a swan?
Why do you think friendship is important in stories like The Snow Queen?
How would you help a character from one of the stories if you were part of their world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your tone and pace to match the mood of the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in a story before turning the page, fostering their analytical thinking.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, then describe why they chose that particular one.
Relate the morals of the stories to real-life situations in your child's experience to help them connect with the themes.
After reading, ask your child which story was their favorite and why, to encourage personal reflection and verbal expression.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: In the tale 'The Little Match Girl,' Andersen illustrates the hardships faced by the less fortunate, fostering empathy and an understanding of different life experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize when someone might be feeling sad or needs help, encouraging them to act kindly towards their peers and others in their community.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Stories like 'The Ugly Duckling' demonstrate how characters overcome challenges and societal rejection, eventually finding their strengths.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that personal growth often comes through overcoming difficulties, encouraging them to persevere through their own challenges.
Example Lesson: The significance of inner beauty and moral integrity
Explanation: In 'The Snow Queen,' the characters' loyalty and virtue are ultimately what lead to their success, not external appearances or material wealth.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value character and moral virtues over superficial qualities, promoting a focus on personal integrity and ethical behavior.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed and selfishness
Explanation: Tales like 'The Emperor’s New Clothes' expose the pitfalls of vanity and deceit, showing how they lead to public embarrassment and personal regret.
Real-World Application: This imparts the importance of honesty and the dangers of succumbing to vanity or deceit, encouraging ethical decision-making from an early age.
Example Lesson: The power of imagination and creativity
Explanation: Andersen's fantastical elements and magical creatures highlight the joy and possibilities that imagination can bring, inspiring creativity in problem-solving and play.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination not only in play but in everyday problem-solving, fostering creative thinking skills that are crucial throughout life.