Hans Christian Andersen
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
October 10, 2016 4:33pm CST
As a child, many of us have read “fairy tales” written by Hans Christian Andersen, I’m sure. I know I read them.
A few that you may be familiar with are “The Emperor’s New Clothes, “The Little Mermaid,” The Ugly Duckling,” “Thumbelina,” and my favorite “The Princess and the Pea.”
Andersen was born in Odense, Denmark in 1805, so those who live in Denmark, no doubt, know much more about his life than I do. I did find out that his “fairy tales” have been translated into over 120 languages. He died in 1875 at the age of 70.
I just came across his name in something I was reading and thought I would share the little I know about him. I’m going to do some more research.
What do you know about him?
6 people like this
5 responses
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Oct 16
@IreneVincent I had heard that too
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
11 Oct 16
I learned a little more about him. That his stories have inspired both animated and live action films, and also ballets and plays.
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
11 Oct 16
Oh, I love to read and watch some of his fairy tales.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
11 Oct 16
Yes, his "fairy tales" are timeless. Children enjoy them as much, maybe even more, than when he first wrote them. I'm so glad they were preserved.
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
10 Oct 16
I don´t know much more about him, but I have read and told all those stories to my children and my grandchildren. I, like you, prefer The princess and the pea. And second to that is The Emperor’s New Clothes.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
11 Oct 16
I learned also that when he was 14, he was said to have had an excellent soprano voice and he was accepted into the Royal Danish Theatre as an actor, but then his voice changed.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Oct 16
Danny Kaye of all people played Andersen in a movie.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
11 Oct 16
Actually, I think Danny Kaye looked a bit like Hans Christian Andersen, don't you?
