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Hans Christian Andersen needs no introduction. A talented writer has created a huge number of works. Among them are poems, essays, novels, plays, but first of all he is known as the author of world-famous fairy tales.
They are read by both adults and children. They are kind and sad, fascinating and instructive, with a good or bad ending. Andersen’s fairy tales are distinguished by a special manner of narration.
The writer uses epithets, a lot of details, his narration is slow, fairy tales are quite voluminous, so it is better not to read them to small children under 3 years old. When the child reaches this age, it is necessary to introduce him to the work of Hans Christian.
Below is a rating of Andersen’s most famous fairy tales.
10 Swineherd
The Tale “Swineherd” you should not read before 6-7 years, because it has a deep meaning. The first publication is 1841.
There are many similar stories in the world, but this one differs from others in that it does not contain excessive sentimentality.
The prince from the fairy tale is not rich, but he really likes the emperor’s daughter. Hoping for reciprocity, he sends the girl the most precious thing he has: a rose and a nightingale.
These gifts did not please the princess. Then the prince decides to teach the capricious girl a lesson, he pretends to be a swineherd and gets a job with the emperor.
First he makes a magic pot. The princess agrees to buy it for 10 kisses. Ratchet costs much more – 100 kisses, but the girl is ready for anything for these little things.
But the emperor accidentally saw the moment of reckoning, he expelled both of them from the palace. The prince retires to his castle, leaving the princess with nothing.
9. The Steadfast Tin Soldier
The optimal age is over 8 years old. Story “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” makes you think about the meaning of life. It was first published in 1838.
This is the story of a tin soldier and a dancer. Yes, they are toys, but at night they come to life. The soldier falls in love with the dancer, the evil troll interferes with their happiness.
In the morning the soldier falls out of the window. He has to go through a lot, but he will still come back.
The toy soldier is back in the nursery, but some boy throws him into the fireplace. There is also a dancer, she was blown away by a gust of wind. Loving hearts united, but at what cost?
This tale shows the reader that life and death are always nearby, and while there is an opportunity, one must do good deeds.
8. Wild swan
A classic fairy tale where good triumphs over evil. “Wild swan” can be read to children over 3 years of age. The story was published in 1838.
The king alone raised 11 sons and a daughter. Soon he will marry. The evil stepmother took a dislike to the children of the king and put a spell on them. The young men turned into swans and flew away, witchcraft did not work on Eliza.
An evil woman tricked the king into driving her daughter out of the castle. Eliza found her brothers, and at night she had a dream. She must knit 11 nettle shirts and throw them over her brothers, then they will turn into people.
Eliza withstood all the tests and was able to save her brothers.
7. The new dress of the king
In a children’s fairy tale “The King’s New Dress” human vices are ridiculed – stupidity and narcissism, it is suitable for reading to children over 6 – 7 years old. The publication date is 1837.
The writer borrowed the plot from Juan Manuel (“Count Lucanor”), he mentions this in his diary.
The king is very fond of dressing up and hires two tailors who really do not understand anything in the sewing business. They promised that I would make a dress invisible to fools.
When they “put on” new clothes for the king, neither he nor his courtiers can admit that they do not see the dress. They don’t want to be considered stupid.
Only one boy was not afraid to expose the ruler and shouted: “But the king is naked!” The cheating tailors had long since left the city, and the king had gone into hiding in his palace.
6. Princess on the Pea
short tale “Princess on the Pea” from the same age category as “The King’s New Dress”, designed for children over 6 years old. First published in 1835.
The main idea here is that you should not judge people by their appearance. First impressions are often deceiving.
The prince was looking for a wife for a long time, he dreamed of a real princess, but he did not meet such.
One day, a girl knocked on the door of the castle. She looked terrible. It was raining heavily and the poor thing was soaked through. The girl assured that she was a real princess, but no one believed her.
Then the old queen decided to check the veracity of the words of the unexpected guest. She put a pea on her bed, covered it with a pile of mattresses on top. In the morning the girl complained of bad sleep.
The prince realized that he was in front of a real princess and married her.
5. Thumbelina
The Tale “Thumbelina” you can safely read to 3-year-old children, she is kind and with a good ending. The publication date is 1835.
Thumbelina appeared from a flower, she lived with a kind woman, but she was kidnapped by a frog. She decided that the tiny girl would be a good match for her son.
Fortunately, Thumbelina managed to escape, but there were still many obstacles in her way.
In the finale, she prepares to marry a mole and goes out to say goodbye to the sun.
A swallow, which Thumbelina helped to survive, arrives and rescues her. They fly to warmer climes. There Thumbelina meets a beautiful elf and marries him.
With this fairy tale, the writer makes it clear that one should never despair, there is always a chance for salvation.
4. Flint
Story “Ognivo” will be understood by young children (3 – 5 years). First published in 1835.
An ordinary soldier, thanks to his courage and resourcefulness, became the ruler of the state and married the princess. First, he had to meet with an evil sorceress who asked him for a favor.
The soldier had to climb into the hollow and get her a tinderbox. For this, he could take as much money as he wanted, which lay in a hollow under the protection of three terrible dogs.
The soldier thought that the steel was of great value and was not mistaken. He took possession of it, and it helped him more than once.
The soldier met a beautiful princess, married her, and all thanks to the steel: its owner could ask terrible dogs to fulfill any desire.
3. The Little Mermaid
One of the most famous fairy tales, suitable for children of 5-6 years of age, but adults also enjoy reading it. “Mermaid” quite long, so it can be divided into several evenings. The date of the first publication is 1837.
This is the sad story of the Little Mermaid, who lived in the underwater world with her father and sisters. She fell in love with a man, a prince, whom she rescued from the water.
She turns to the sea witch for help. She gives her a potion that will help the Little Mermaid turn into a human, but in return she asks for her tongue.
From now on, the Little Mermaid will not be able to talk, she will have legs, but when walking she will experience excruciating pain.
For the sake of love, she agrees to everything. But the prince never fell in love with the Little Mermaid. The witch gave her a chance to save her life by killing her lover, but the Little Mermaid prefers to die.
2. Ugly duckling
Designed for children from 3 years old. Story “Ugly duck” was first published in 1843.
The little duckling differed from its brothers and sisters in its terrible appearance. Even the mother duck did not support him, the duckling could only run away from ridicule and humiliation.
For some time he lived with an old woman, but other animals – a cat and a chicken, also began to mock the duckling. Then the bird flew away to the lake, for some time the duckling lived alone.
His only joy is the beautiful white swans, which he admired from afar, he really dreamed of being like them.
Spring came, and the duckling flew over the lake, he decided to approach the majestic birds. As he sank into the water, he saw his own reflection. The ugly duckling has turned into a beautiful swan.
1. The Snow Queen
Beautiful and touching love story “The Snow Queen” Suitable for reading to children from 5 to 6 years. The date of the first publication is 1844.
Andersen’s life experience prompted him to write this fairy tale. He had an unrequited love for opera singer Jenny Lind.
Kai and Gerda are friends, the Snow Queen kidnaps the boy. She keeps him in her palace.
The girl goes to help a friend. She will be able to overcome a difficult path, cope with all the trials, only to save Kai. In this story, good triumphs over evil.