Hans Christian Andersen and his fairy tales

Who he was

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish writer, born in Odense on 2 April 1805; he died on 4 August 1875. He wrote his fairy tales in Danish; in Denmark he is known as H.C. Andersen.

His tales on Andersen’s World

Andersen’s World is turning eight of his fairy tales into illustrated films. Two can be watched now, each with a free first chapter:

• The Ugly Duckling (Den grimme ælling, 1843)
• The Snow Queen (Snedronningen, 1844) — coming
• The Little Mermaid (Den lille havfrue, 1837) — coming
• The Princess and the Pea (Prinsessen på ærten, 1835)
• Thumbelina (Tommelise, 1835) — coming
• The Emperor's New Clothes (Kejserens nye klæder, 1837) — coming
• The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Den standhaftige tinsoldat, 1838) — coming
• The Little Match Girl (Den lille pige med svovlstikkerne, 1845) — coming

The stories you can watch now

The Ugly Duckling (1843). A different-looking hatchling endures mockery and exile through changing seasons until spring reveals his true identity as a swan.

The Princess and the Pea (1835). A prince searches the world for a real princess. One stormy night a soaked girl knocks at the castle gate, and a single pea hidden under twenty mattresses shows whether she truly is a princess.

The first editions our films are adapted from

The Ugly Duckling: first published as "Den grimme Ælling" on 11 November 1843, in "Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Første Samling".

The Princess and the Pea: first published as "Prindsessen paa Ærten" on 8 May 1835, in "Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. Første Samling. Første Hefte".

Watch his stories

Start with a free first chapter:

• The Ugly Duckling: story, meaning and characters
• The Princess and the Pea: story, meaning and characters