Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid and All

Our language has incorporated so much of the lore and images created by Hans Christian Andersen, born on April 2, 1805. This year celebrates the 200th year of his birth. His fairy tales brought us The Emperor’s New Clothes, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid. Altogether the library has more than a hundred Hans Christian Andersen titles.
       I believe Andersen would be astounded to find his writings in DVD and cassette form and dozens of illustrated picture books and fairy tale collections. The 1989 Disney film of The Little Mermaid with its wonderful songs by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken was part of a long tradition of building on Andersen's work. But to really appreciate his language and detail, read any of his stories out loud. Celebrate by reading one his stories—you don’t need a child to read to. Just treat yourself.
       For more information about Andersen, visit the website of the Hans Christian Andersen Center, or read the wikipedia article. The last five decades have not been kind to the 1952 Danny Kaye movie, but some of the Frank Loesser songs weathered very well. I bet many of you grownups remember "Inchworm". No, alas, the library doesn't have the film, or a recording of the music.