Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Illustrated by: Dorothée Duntze
Publishing information: (North South, September 1, 1985, Ages 4-8)
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Genre: Fairy Tale
This tale was about a prince who wanted to find a genuine princess. One by one, princesses from all over had come to try at his hand in marriage. One night a princess came to the castle, drenched because of a storm. She stayed the night and secretly went through a test to see if she was a real princess. The test involved seeing if she felt a small pea placed at the bottom of twenty mattresses. She felt them, hardly sleeping at all. They got married and lived happily ever after.
My Reaction to the book:
This is a fun story. Whenever I read it I think of the musical, “Once Upon a Mattress”. The story comes to life for me, after having seen that musical. It is one of my favorite fairy tales of all times. Its pictures and story line are fun and full of energy.
Potential Problems:
The princess didn’t know she was being tested-for a hand in marriage!
Recommendations:
For those who like a happily ever after involving a prince and princess, this is a great choice. It is not a complex story line, nor does it have an intense theme. It is a fun plot, with a musical based off it.
Illustrated by: Rachel Isadora
Publishing information: (Putnam Juvenile, September 21, 1987, Ages 4-8)
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Genre: Fairy Tale
The fairy tale is about a girl who goes on the street to try and sell matches. She is afraid to return home so she stays out all night, lighting match after match, to try and stay warm. While on the streets she has visions about things, such as a furnished table setting, a warm fireplace, a decorated Christmas tree, and her grandma, who had long before gone to heaven.
My Reaction to the book:
When I read this as a child, I didn’t get as much out of it as I did reading now. It is a powerful story. It makes me realize how valued and important a good home life is. I am so grateful I don’t fear it at all, and have the blessing I do.
Potential Problems:
It deals with a girl spending a night on the street and dying because she is afraid to go home.
Recommendations:
This book indirectly stresses the importance of a loving home environment. It can be used for a family discussion and as a story during a gratitude lesson. Its dark colored pictures capture the tone of the story well.
The Emperor's New Suit
Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Publishing information: (Online, 1837, 8 and Up)
Number of Pages: 1 (on website)
Genre: Fairy Tale
An emperor loves high class clothes. He feels it important to dress the finest he can. One day two swindlers came to the kingdom and offered to make the emperor a new suit out of the finest cloth they had. They requested lots of money and fancy silk. When it was all said and done they had only pretended to make it. They also got him to believe that it actually existed. He undressed and put on the invisible clothes. He ended up just parading around undressed because of his vain imagination. A child noticed then others said things too – but he was the emperor and went on dressed, or undressed, how he was.
I cannot believe the emperor’s foolish imagination, that he actually believed he was wearing fancy clothes. It is a crazy, and kind of a bizarre tale.
Potential Problems:
Nudity by an adult
Swindles
Recommendations:
For those who like to use their imagination, this is a tale that stresses using your imagination, also about keeping it in perspective.
The Red ShoesAuthor: Hans Christian Anderson
Publishing information: (Online, 1845, Preteen and up)
Number of Pages: 1 (online)
Genre: Fairy Tale
There was once a girl whose shoes were falling apart. An elderly woman made new shoes for her, bright red. She wore them everywhere, even to her mother’s funeral, confirmation, and Communion. She went to a dance in them, and was later approached by an executioner. He, per her request, chopped off her feet, instead of killing her. Her shoes continued to dance magically. She went through life with crutches. She had a vision of an angel and her in a church. She went to heaven and no one asked about her red shoes, they just accepted her the way she was.
This story was all right. It was not my favorite in a long shot. I found the story confusing and cruel. I don’t know why people called her a sinner because of her shoes, they were all she had. They should have been respectful of that.
Potential Problems:
Poverty is a message that this book associated with sin.
Recommendations:
It is all right, but I wouldn’t recommend it highly. It is just an average, kind of strange story.
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