Monday, June 9, 2025

His Fairytale Life (A Book About Hans Christian Andersen) by Jane Yolen & illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes [Review]



My thoughts:  The author, Jane Yolen and illustrator, Brooke Boynton-Hughes, magically opens the story of the sad life of the master storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen, with a simple statement and explosive and dream-like spray of beautiful illustrations. Simply put, his mother couldn't read but was a grand teller of stories and his life was stressed with poverty and disappointment. 

Neal Porter Books
Holiday House Publishing
ISBN: 9780823451036
Hardcover $18.99 US
He finally began his schooling with the little ones but he was a gangly teen. His life was sad, so sad. The illustrations are extraordinarily appealing and beautiful capturing the pure essence of Andersen's life in a mind filled with stories just waiting to come out.

His stories became legendary as did the man himself long after he died. Such is often the plight of an artist. Andersen's life was so very sad but his mind and his stories brought such joy to the world. This retelling for young children is excellent.

About the book: The storyteller becomes the story in this illuminating biographical picture book of Hans Christian Andersen, father of the modern fairy tale.

A century and a half have passed since Hans Christan Andersen’s death, but his stories are more alive than ever. Across languages, borders, and disciplines, his timeless creations have left a footprint beyond measuring. Now, come along back to the beginning and meet the human that came before the legend.

He was a boy
who lived with a mother
who could not read,
but remembered every fairy tale
she’d been told…

Appropriately penned by Jane Yolen, who Newsweek has called “the Hans Christian Andersen of America,” His Fairytale Life is as immersive and transporting as all good fairy tales should be. Each page sings with Brooke Boynton-Hughes’s dazzlingly intricate illustrations. Classics lovers and Disney fanatics alike will cherish this dreamy tome.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

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