Living In A Fairy Tale World

“Every man’s life is a fairy tale written by God’s fingers.” – Hans Christian Andersen

Born in Denmark on this date in 1805, Andersen was introduced to fairy tales by his poor, under-educated father who found time to read daily to his son – especially from 1001 Arabian Nights.  "Being read to by a parent” led Andersen to his lifelong love of reading and fairy tales, and the world became the beneficiary.

After singing with the Royal Danish Theatre as a boy soprano, Andersen sought to be a full-time performer until his voice began to change.  At that point he began writing to see if he could stay involved by creating theatrical pieces.  After moderate success, he switched to writing fairy tales – first adapting the stories he had heard as a child and then creating from his own imagination. 

The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Match Girl and The Emperor’s New Clothes are just a few of the world’s most famous fairy tales from the pen of this prolific and imaginative author. 

                                           Translated into more than 125 languages, his tales have inspired plays, ballets, and live-action and animated films, presenting lessons in virtue and resilience in the face of adversity.  The International Board on Books for Young People now presents the coveted "Hans Christian Andersen Awards" to authors and illustrators whose life’s work has made a similar impact on children’s literature.  “Life itself,” the author wrote in his declining years,  “is and has been a most wonderful fairy tale.”

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