Penguin Random House, author portrait placeholder image

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (1805–75) was born in Odense, Denmark. The son of a poor shoemaker, who nonetheless was a great reader, made a toy theater for his son and taught him to notice every natural wonder as they walked in the woods together on Sundays. His father died when he was 11, and it wasn’t until six years later that, with the help of a patron, he finally went to a state secondary school attended by much younger children. There he suffered at the hands of a cruel headmaster, but he acquired an education and was determined to be a writer. He published his first novel and his first fairy tales in 1835; thereafter he wrote over 150 more of these stories which have become classics in many languages. Although he originally addressed his fairy tales to children (and some would maintain he had a streak of childhood in his nature) he insisted they were “for all ages,” and the gentleness and humor that are their characteristics are recognized by everyone.
The Princess and the Pea
The Wild Swans
The Princess and the Pea
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
Thumbelina
The Snow Queen
The Little Match Girl
The Little Match Girl
Fairy Tales

The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen #readalong | Brightly Storytime

Books

The Princess and the Pea
The Wild Swans
The Princess and the Pea
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
Thumbelina
The Snow Queen
The Little Match Girl
The Little Match Girl
Fairy Tales

Media

The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen #readalong | Brightly Storytime

Books for Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction for students, teachers, and parents to share and discuss this month and beyond. Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators by exploring the titles here: BLACK HISTORY – ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TITLES Explore these

Read more