The Little Mermaid and Other Tales (Hardcover)

~ Hans Christian Andersen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

These 27 classic stories from the master of fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, whisk the reader to magical lands, fantastic voyages, romantic encounters and suspenseful adventures. Children and adults alike will enjoy timeless favourites including: The Little Mermaid; The Emperor's New Clothes; The Little Matchgirl; and The Ugly Duckling. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is a near-facsimile of the first American edition of the collection. Other tales included are: The Tinderbox; Little Claus and Big Claus; A Real Princess; Little Ida's Flowers; The Naughty Boy; The Travelling Companion; The Marsh King's Daughter; The Swineherd; She's Good for Nothing; The Story of the Year; The Rose Elf; The Buckwheat; There's the Difference; Thumbelisa; The Wicked Prince; The Wild Swans; The Garden of Eden; The Flying Trunk; The Girl who Trod on a Loaf; The Steadfast Tin Soldier; Ib and Little Christina; Oli Lockeye; Danish Holger.

About the Author

Hans Christian Anderson

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781807204
• ISBN-13: 978-0781807203
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,604,786 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for older readers!, March 27, 2000

By	Rachel (Fairmont, WV) - See all my reviews

I found this book to be not only entertaining as a story book, but also very helpful to my profession. As a children's theater director in the planning stages of a production of 'The Little Mermaid', I had been trying to find a copy of the story in its original form, and could only find rewritten and sugarcoated versions of this classic. This book had exactly what I was looking for. The stories in this book are true to how Hans Christian Andersen had written them, but like most fairy tales, they don't always have a happy ending. I suggest this book to older children or to adults who liked these stories as a child. This book may not be appropriate if you are looking for bedtime stories for very young children, but as a reference tool, it's superb. The type-face is large enough to be read easily and the watercolor-style illustrations are beautiful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars colorless "watercolors" , September 19, 2007

By	Sandra B. Ieyoub (Bayou State) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While the stories are wonderful as always, I bought this volume based on
the comment "that the illustrations had a lovely watercolor like effect". I guess I just don't see shades of gray as watercolor.
I do appreciate the masters of black and white illustration, but children really do not. This is the last book I buy that is not better identified as having black and white, color or both illustrations. What is inside the book should be made aware to the buyer. Otherwise the savings to be had and the fun of the online hunt become moot, when opening the volume in hand at a bookstore will answer all your questions. I LOVE those sellers who are open and honest enough to describe their books in detail down to the number of illustrations, including how many are in black and white or color. I will buy from them even if their price is higher. Showing a cover or illustrative example is also a nice selling point.

1.0 out of 5 stars 20 TALES BY DANISH MASTER STORYTELLER, December 25, 2008

By	Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Over the years I have enjoyed many HCA fairy tales, particularly
those which are not too tragic and appear as beautifully-illustrated picture books. But I must admit to being disappointed by this Harper anthology which is not all inclusive). The tales vary in length from rather long to absurdly short. Despite the author's occasional subtle humor he intrudes too much of himself into many tales, as if readers were really interested in hearing about the actual storyteller. One wonders if he were trying to curry favor with royal patronage at times. Some tales are brutal or grisly; others seem legitimate pleas for social reform. His favorite themes for general moralizing depict the dangers of excessive: greed, violence, and vanity. Was HCS trying to instruct or entertain his young readers?