Hans Christian Andersen - Children's Author

Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805, and his early life was full of great sadness. His family was very poor. His father was a sad shoemaker. His father would read him a story every day at 2:00. His father died when he was 11 years old. When Hans Andersen was the age of 14 he ran away to Copenhagen.

Andersen was Denmark's most famous author. Andersen wrote as many as 350 stories. His books are read all over the world. Here are 5 of the many stories hewrote: The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Red Shoes. One of his most interesting book's is The Emperor's New Clothes It is about a king who is very vain,and two people teach him a lesson. Andersen always wanted new things, but he could not buy them. This story is a reflection of his life.

All of the stories Andersen wrote were with a great desire to make people laugh. He also wrote because he didn't want children to have a sad childhood as he did. He also wanted to fill little girls' and little boys' hearts full of joy and laughter. He always wrote with a sly humour. Through his writings, Andersen felt more self fulfilled.

Even after his death Hans Christian Andersen is still remembered today. Hans Andersen died on August 4, 1875. Denmark's people always celebrate his birthday with a party called "Odin Story Day". The Andersen home in Odense is now a museum, and thousand of people visit it every year. After he died people read his stories and loved them just like when he was alive.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Hans Christian Andersen

The Princess and the Pea
Hans Christian Andersen
A young girl claiming to be a princess is put to the test: will she feel the pea underneath the pile of mattresses? A classic fairy tale with beautiful, soft illustrations.
Featured in: 3+ readers | 5+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 19/01/2012
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Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated Edition
Hans Christian Andersen
The best-loved tales by master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen are elegantly retold in this beautifully illustrated edition. Hans Christian Andersen’s stories encompass a wide range of emotions from the pathos of stories such as The Ugly Duckling and The Little...
Featured in: 7+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/08/2009
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The Ugly Duckling (Classics Illustrated Junior)
Hans Christian Andersen
Traditional fairy tales such as this one provide a wonderfully warm feeling to any child reading it or being read to.  This edition of the Ugly Duckling is one of a range of marvellous comic books created in the '50s and...
Featured in: 3+ readers | 5+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 25/10/2008
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