Thumbelina and Other Fairy Tales

by Hans Christian Andersen

Overview

This delightful selection of stories by one of the classic masters of the genre includes some well-known and lesser known tales, presented in lively Naxos AudioBooks style with music and sound effects.

This recording is also unique in that the stories are read by the finalists in the Naxos AudioBooks/ The Times Voice of the Year competition which offered a recording opportunity to talented readers who had never studied or worked professionally. The competition produced some outstanding natural talents as this recording shows!

Music: From the Naxos catalogue

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789626343357
Publisher:	Naxos of America, Inc.
Publication date:	04/01/2005
Series:	Junior Classics Ser.
Edition description:	Unabridged, 3 CDs, 2 hrs. 30 min.
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 5.52(h) x 0.48(d)
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Date of Birth:

April 2, 1805

Date of Death:

August 4, 1875

Place of Birth:

Odense, Denmark

Place of Death:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Editorial Reviews

Hans Christian Andersen’s body of fairy tales is large. This recording includes several of the oft-told, such as “The Nightingale,” “The Brave Tin Soldier,” and the title story, as well as the less familiar “Metal Pig,” set in Florence, and the whimsical “Flea and the Professor.” No matter what the tale, Andersen’s attention to nature’s detail and his reflection on the sorrow and hardship life brings are ever present and beckon the listener back again and again. Each narrator is suited to his or her tale. Thumbelina’s voice comes through as sensitive and delicate. The emperor’s is pompous, but then contrite at the point when the nightingale’s wisdom is understood. Enjoy reconnecting with Andersen’s stories and sampling the freshness of promising new narrators. A.R. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile

Gr 2-6-An enjoyable collection of stories by Hans Christian Andersen are read by finalists in the 2004 Voice of the Year competition. The contestants were required too have no formal drama training or professional acting experience. The backgrounds of the male and female readers ranged from business communications, classroom teacher, student, and legal director to stand-up comedian. The range of reading techniques here is fascinating and will hold listeners' attention. For example, Eleanor Buchan employs very proper British pronunciations in her reading of "Thumbelina," with a minimal amount of variety in pace or pitch to differentiate characters. Paul Rew, on the other hand, differentiates each character by the pitch and timber of his voice in "The Flying Trunk." "The Brave Tin Soldier," "The Princess and the Pea," "The Butterfly," "The Flea and the Professor," "The Metal Pig," "The Storks," "The Silver Shilling," and "The Nightingale" round out this collection. Each unabridged story opens with a piano selection that sets the tone for the tale. Sound effects, including rain and cannons, are used appropriately. An outstanding recording of terrific stories, wonderfully told.-Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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