I am still tangle with the Terrible-Two and Grouchy-P1-Schooler. Well, it is not new to hear from this space.
Anyway, in the midst of all the hectic-ness, I am committed to another guest post to talk about one of the best Children Book's Author in the world. Thanks Winnie for having me over there;).
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This is my first book of fairy tales.
I could not remember when exactly I got it, probably it was during my upper primary schooling years. The book consists of twelve long stories with only one to illustrate for each story. Some even had no pictures. But those powerful words enough to blow my mind as a child. Not all of the stories ended happily ever-after, but I was immersed in the rich, imaginary world of the author to learn about good life value through princes and princesses, the poor and the wealthy classes, sparrows, swallows, ducklings, swans, peas, shoemakers and what not. I read the book so many times that I wonder if the tales were true? Most of the tales begin by saying it was a tale told long ago and retold before it is forgotten, or it was a tale told by the swallow or sparrow, which made the tales so believable, that I hoped I could listen and understand the birds tweeting. And, some stories were sounded so real that I got aspired and I wish I could visit the museum that displays the pea!
Yes, I am talking about stories written by Hans Christian Andersen. It was very much later I realised that Hans C. Andersen is one of the world beloved children's authors in the world. Almost everyone would have heard of his famous tales, such as The Ugly Duckling, Princess and the Peas, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Suit and many more. Many of his stories are sophisticated and beautifully written, with tales that provoke my emotions. I took a long time to accept that Little Mermaid didn't get her princess and instead transformed into the cold foam of sea.
Hans Christian Andersen was the first Danish author and poet, wrote many poems, plays, stories and travelogues, but is best known for his fairy tales. He once said that ideas for his stories 'lie in my mind like seeds and only need the kiss of a sunbeam or a drop of malice to flower'. Andersen's fairy tales of fantasy that are filled with moral values are popular with children and adults all over the world.
Andersen was born on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark. His father was a shoemaker, and his mother earned money washing other people's clothes. His parents spoiled him and encouraged him to develop his imagination. Many say his life is a fairy tales itself, as he came from a poor background and yet became a remarkable storyteller for many decades.
He wrote more than one hundred and fifty fairy tales. He set new ground in both style and content, and employed the idioms and form of spoken language in a way that was new in Danish writing, leading many critics to comment his informal, chatty style. While fairy tales at his time were didactic and meant to convey information, he brought wit, irony and often ambiguity to his tales. Many of these tales teach us moral values that would help in everyday life or warn against something.
To me, he is the greatest story-teller, with an ability to weave the imaginary with reality. Different individual would perceive different message from each and every story of Andersen. For example, The Little Match Girl, spoke out for exploited children sent by their parents to beg in the streets. I was shock to learn that, at the same time, it taught me a lesson that how blessed I was with what I had as a little girl (I thought I was poor, but neh). Whilst, in The Fir Tree, he told a very meaningful story by telling a life of a Fir Tree rejoice in its growth and presence.
"He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans swam round the new-comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome."(from 'The Ugly Duckling')
Over the years, Andersen's tales has “evolved”. Reading his tales again after growing up with abridged and altered versions of his creations can be quiet interesting, especially with a pre-schooler. Many of the stories are simpler and yet still contain amazing appeal to inspire new generation. The first Andersen’s tale I read to my daughter was Thumbelina. It was simple story, and like any other fairy tales with prince and princess, it ended “happily ever-after”.
We went to watch The Ugly Duckling when she was about 4 (or 5). The show presented the story better to the little ones.
Speaking of altered version of Andersen’s tales, my girl first learned about the Little Mermaid through Walt Disney, so much so she refused to accept the ending of the original version. Can't blame her, it's a happy ending compare to Andersen's. Well, I am sure she will learn the real beauty and power of Andersen’s literary someday.
She was continued with other stories like The Emperor's New Suit. I love this as Andersen used the character of a child to speak the truth and question the moral of deluding oneself. Not every criticism or opinion is worth to be uttered:
"But he has nothing on at all," said a little child at last. "Good heavens! listen to the voice of an innocent child," said the father, and one whispered to the other what the child had said. "But he has nothing on at all," cried at last the whole people. That made a deep impression upon the emperor, for it seemed to him that they were right; but he thought to himself, "Now I must bear up to the end." And the chamberlains walked with still greater dignity, as if they carried train which did not exist." (from 'The Emperor's New Suit,').
Recently my girl got to read The Nightingale in a simpler version via Usborne (part of the school reading program), it was a version without the Death and very much easier for her to read on her own. I took the opportunity to get The Nightingale from library and go through the story with her. Long with many more difficult words and more complicated scene (compare to Usborne's).
While I read, explained along the way, the Death, for the first time, is introduced to her. So she asked, "Who is he?" The book happened to have the illustration of the Death staring at the ill emperor with his cold, hollow eyes and many faces surrounded the room, making the scene fearfully still.
Her other questions included, "Can Death take away the emperor's spirit by judging his good and bad deeds?", "Why do you want to take away the emperor's spirit?" and "Why are there so many faces?"
I pondered, knowing how scaredy-cat she is. "He is someone very powerful who does his work like an emperor to decide whether you can live or dead," I replied.
"How?"
I tried to answer it tactfully. In many story books, Death is more of a loss, intangible, rather than portrayed as a character that comes and judges you at the last moment of your life. I told her that, it is the uniqueness of the story and is meant to remind us that there is nothing to be afraid of, even if it seems fearful in the story. Death is part of life, and in the case of The Nightingale, the emperor was ill and high possibility of his body "stop working", hence the spirit has to leave the body and resulting in the death of the emperor.
"The king seemed on the verge of death until the nightingale who had been banished from the court upon hearing of his illness came to offer comfort and indeed she managed to chase death away. By doing so, she gained her freedom and a promise from the king that he would listen his little bird and be a just and compassionate ruler. In turn, the nightingale would come back and sing for him to fill his heart with joy." (extracted from here)
I wasn't sure, but I reckon it is good to keep her contemplating and come back to me another form of question relates to death.
We'll see.
The story leads to a happy ending after all. The Nightingale showed her appreciation, revisited the ill emperor and chased the evil faces away. By doing that, she earned her freedom and a promise from the emperor.
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From top left to right: The Ugly Duckling | The Steadfast Tin Soldier | The Princess and the Pea
From bottom left to right: The Nightingale | The Little Match Girl | The Emperor's New Clothes |
There are far too many Andersen's tales I can share here. The books illustrated above are just some I can find from the fairy tale corner of a local library. Perhaps you could find a suitable story for your child(ren) in the list here before you head to the library to borrow the book.
Andersen's tales has been published in numerous collections during his life and many still in print today. Through this exercise of re-reading the tales and researching more about Andersen, I enjoy my self once again in his fabulous stories in English vis-a-vis Chinese version of mine. My first book of fairy tales is somewhat unabridged from the English, not bad, in my opinion.
[Some other tales in my book include The Red Shoes, The Pea Blossom, The Buckwheat, The Flying Trunk that I opine they are more suitable to older children in upper primary school level.]
Reblogged from here.
I also blogged about another Children Book's Author: Maurice Sendak
