Signed by both Karen Hesse and Erik Blegvad ( )

This biography novel is almost poetic, using metaphors and other analogies throughout. The novel does not talk of when he was born or alive, but it tells his journey to fame in an interesting way. Hans Christian was an awkward boy of sorts--he towered over his classmates, and he was very lanky. He grew up desiring fame and attention, but was very often mocked and ridiculed. Hans Christian could sing like an angel, his grandmother would say. His father passed when he was young, and his mothers new husband was not fond of him. At age fourteen, Hans decided to move away to pursue fame. The story ends at Hans moving away, but the afterword talks of his later hardships and successes. ( )

This book is about the life of Hans Christian Andersen. Many of us know him as the author of many different fairy tales, such as, "The Little Mermaid" and "The Snow Queen." The story describes his young life when he was trying to become a writer. One of his most popular stories is "The Ugly Duckling." His stories are for all ages and his fairy tales take of the themes of magic and wonder, which all kids and adults should enjoy. ( )

Beautiful illustrations accompany Karen Hesse's poetic prose of the author/adapter of many famous fairy tales. ( )