Andersen's Fairy Tales

April 1, 2001
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, edited and illus. by Lisbeth Zwerger, trans. by Anthea Bell, originally published in 1991, includes three additional stories, and its new design matches Zwerger's Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. The 11 tales include the familiar ("The Little Match Girl") and the lesser-known ("The Sandman"). Zwerger's signature watercolors come alive in full-page illustrations elegantly and simply framed in a band of white. From grief-stricken Thumbeline leaning over the dead swallow to the self-deluded, nearly naked emperor admiring himself vainly in the mirror, the artwork conveys a range of emotions.

Gorgeous orchestral music contributes to the dramatization of these charming tales. In "The Emperor's New Clothes," narrator Erica Johns creates the ideal huffy voice for the emperor, shady-sounding voices for the swindlers, and a realistic child's voice when all is revealed. In "The Tinder Box," listeners can almost see the crafty witch as she cajoles the soldier to steal with her creepy voice. The Ugly Duckling quacks believably as Johns elegantly describes nature. The hunting dogs' splashes into the water are also appropriately frightening and dramatic. Listening is an excellent way to enjoy Andersen's humor and wise lessons. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine