Andersen's Fairy Tales Complete Collection (Collector's Edition Full Color Printing)

Author: (Danish) Hans Christian Andersen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The renowned Chinese children's literature translator Ren Rongrong, at the age of eighty, has retranslated this "Complete Collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales" with a vibrant sense of childhood and exquisite literary style. The super deluxe edition is fully color-printed and designed by the famous artist Lü Jingren, making this commemorative edition even more valuable for collection and reading. The contemporary acclaimed illustrator Xiong Liang, with his abundant creativity and profound insight, has meticulously interpreted the fairy tale spirit of Hans Christian Andersen, perfectly capturing the rich and profound essence of his fairy tales. No wonder Danish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China Mr. Mi Lei wrote with enthusiasm in his preface to the collection: "What could be more appropriate than this 'Complete Collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales,' newly translated by the renowned translator Ren Rongrong, illustrated by the talented artist Xiong Liang, and published by the high-quality Zhejiang Children's Publishing House?" And Eric Mischitz, Chairman of the International Hans Christian Andersen Foundation in China, exclaimed after receiving the sample book: "If Hans Christian Andersen had the chance to see his works published with such exquisite craftsmanship, he would be overjoyed."
The Zhejiang Children's Publishing House edition of the "Complete Collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales" (Deluxe Edition, Popular Edition, Phonetic Edition) was designated as the official version for the "Global Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's Birth." It was personally authorized by Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the Great Hall of the People and funded by the Queen's Private Fund of Denmark. The publication of the "Complete Collection" received strong support from the Danish Embassy in China, the International Hans Christian Andersen Foundation, the Royal Danish Library, and the Odense City Museum. The "Complete Collection" incorporates a wealth of precious materials. The handwritten manuscripts, facsimiles of original drafts, paper-cuttings, and line drawings in the book are all personally created by Hans Christian Andersen and provided by the Royal Danish Library. The oil portrait of Hans Christian Andersen in the book is a treasured piece from the Odense City Museum.
The Zhejiang Children's Publishing House edition of the "Complete Collection of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales" will be featured in the special exhibition of the "Global Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's Birth" and will be included as a precious commemorative volume in the Danish National Library.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales possess a unique artistic style characterized by poetic beauty and comic humor. The former is the dominant style, often reflected in celebratory fairy tales, while the latter is more prominent in satirical ones.
Hans Christian Andersen's creative works can be divided into three periods: early, middle, and late. Early fairy tales are filled with fantastical imagination and an optimistic spirit, reflecting a blend of realism and romanticism. Representative works include The Tinderbox, Little Tille, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, The Wild Swans, and The Ugly Duckling. Middle-period fairy tales reduce the fantastical elements and emphasize realism. They express an unwavering pursuit of a better life while also revealing a sense of melancholy and lack of confidence. Representative works include The Little Match Girl, The Snow Queen, The Shadow, A Drop of Water, The Mother's Tale, and The Man Who Made Toys. Late-period fairy tales confront reality more directly, focusing on the hardships of the lower classes and exposing the coldness, darkness, and injustice of society. The tone of these works is somber. Representative works include The Dream Under the Willow Tree, She Is a Waste, The Bachelor's Nightcap, and The Lucky Bee.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales are not only intended to enrich children's spiritual lives but also to inspire adults, making them beloved by both children and adults. His fairy tales possess qualities often lacking in adult literature: abundant fantasy, innocent and playful imagination, and simple humor, all rooted in real life. Many of his well-loved fairy tales exhibit these characteristics, such as The Nightingale, The Princess on the Pea, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Shepherdess, and The Chimney Sweeper, all of which are imbued with a strong sense of life. In his fairy tales, he expresses his deep love for humanity, his concern for people, his respect for human dignity, and his praise for human progress, as seen in works like The Little Mermaid.