A gawky, dreamy boy, Hans Christian Andersen grew up to become a profoundly imaginative writer and storyteller who revolutionized literature for children. Andersen gave us the now standard versions

Fairy Tales

A gawky, dreamy boy, Hans Christian Andersen grew up to become a profoundly imaginative writer and storyteller who revolutionized literature for children. Andersen gave us the now standard versions of some traditional folk tales as well as original stories that have enchanted generations of readers. To commemorate the bicentennial of his birth, Viking will publish a new translation of thirty of his extraordinary tales, illustrated with Andersenâ€™s own paper cuts. From the exuberant early stories such as "The Tinderbox" and "The Emperorâ€™s New Clothes" through poignant masterpieces such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling," to darker, more subversive later tales written for adults, the stories here are endlessly experimental, humorous and irreverent, sorrowful and strange. Tiina Nunnallyâ€™s sparkling new translation capturesâ€”for the first time in Englishâ€”the vibrancy of Andersenâ€™s voice. Compiled by Andersenâ€™s biographer Jackie Wullschlager, who also contributes notes and a captivating introduction, this volume will be a major literary event that will dazzle readers young and old.

Fairy Tales