Hans Christian Andersen

• Biography

  Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) was born in Odense, Denmark, the son of a poor shoemaker and a washerwoman. As a young teenager, he became quite well known in Odense as a reciter of drama and as a singer. When he was fourteen, he set off for the capital, Copenhagen, determined to become a national success on the stage. He failed miserably, but made some influential friends in the capital who got him into school to remedy his lack of proper education. In 1829 his first book was published. After that, books came out at regular intervals. His stories began to be translated into English as early as 1846. Since then, numerous editions, and more recently Hollywood songs and Disney cartoons, have helped to ensure the continuing popularity of the stories in the English-speaking world.

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• Praise for Books

  “Zarr and Dupuis’ production for the Canada-based Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre was notable for its lack of sentimentality: despite the happy ending, they emphasized the significance of Christmas as the time of year when individuals should take a long hard look at themselves and consider whether they need to reform. Would that everyone could follow Scrooge’s example.” —Laurence Raw, Radio Drama Reviews Online, on A Christmas Carol

  “Katherine Kellgren’s performance wrings all of the emotion and suspense from Andersen’s classic tale of friendship, innocence, wickedness, and despair…Kellgren becomes the restrained storyteller, an old witch, talking crows, and more as she spins Andersen’s iconic story to its happy conclusion. Those who have been engaged by the alternative retellings of the past few years will be newly enchanted by the original. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.” —AudioFile

  “Perfect from the first sentence to the very last.” —WKAR on A Christmas Carol

  “Danish author Hans Christian Andersen was one of the greatest fairy-tale writers of all time” —Library Journal, praise for the author

  “A Christmas Carol has been adopted into radio drama by many people over the years, but few better than Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre from Canada.” —Fred Greenhalgh, Host of the Radio Drama Revival Podcast, on A Christmas Carol

  “Andersen had the ability to articulate desires petty and profound and make them into transcendent tales.” —Noel Daniel, editor of The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, praise for the author

  “The Queen, the Duchess, the Dormouse, and the Mad Hatter. Award-winning voice actor Barbara Rosenblat leads an able cast in giving proper nineteenth-century accents and voices to all our favorite iconic characters from one of the most beloved children’s classics in the English language. Energetic newcomer Georgia Lee Schultz provides Alice with an updated and nicely understandable American accent and is especially good with the many whispered asides that stitch this adapted version together. For many, Alice in Wonderland is a special cultural touchstone, even with all the commercials, videos, and pop songs that refer to it, so it is always refreshing to hear the language and intended story of the original.” —AudioFile on Alice in Wonderland

  “The zaniness of Carroll’s kaleidoscopic story of Alice is realized through music tied to action (particularly shrinking and growing), the voice work of Barbara Rosenblat playing (among others) both the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts and enhancing background sounds, such as ocean waves and bird calls when Alice’s tears become a sea.” —Library Journal (starred audio review) on Alice in Wonderland

  “[Narrator Georgia Lee] Schultz’s Alice was the fulcrum of the entire revival as she not only narrated the story but communicated her thoughts to listeners in asides. It was a tribute to her acting skill that she came across as a level-headed personality, someone who remained distinctly unfazed by what was happening around her. Hence her ability to treat the entire journey as a dream at the end.” —Radio Drama Reviews Online on Alice in Wonderland

  “A resplendent narration and enchanting sound effects make this edition of Grimm’s 1812 fairy tale quite irresistible. Georgia Lee Schultz’s warm voice is ideal for the portrayal of Snow White, particularly when she talks to her birds. Most impressive is Mary Ellen Herder’s Evil Queen; her harsh voice and disturbing cackle are spot-on. First-rate sound effects add atmosphere; for example, when the Evil Queen persuades Snow White to eat the poisoned apple, the crunch is as realistic as the sounds of the birds.” —AudioFile on Snow White

  “Adapted from the classic Grimm fairy tale, this audio drama of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves follows the source material well, yet adds some new elements and characters that fans of the Disney film will find interesting and compelling. A sort of secret history of what really happened…comparisons aside, this truly has feel of a fairy tale…it’s perfect for kids and adults and for those awesome parents who want to introduce their children to audio drama at an early age.” —Michael Bergonzi, Audio Drama Reviews (5/5 stars), on Snow White

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  • Cuentos Clásicos Para Niños

  • By The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop, Arezo Mayaar, and Lauren Kratz Prushko

    Adapted by LibraryCall

    Translated by Lorena Romero and Stephaney Cortes Alvarado

    Read by Lorena Romero, Stephaney Cortes Alvarado, and Daniel Fernando

  • Release Date: 5/07/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

  Enciende tu imaginación y abre puertas a mundos nuevos con esta colección encantadora para niños. Con más de 100 minutos de cuentos en español, esta colección ofrece diversión sin fin para toda la familia. Descubre cuentos adorados como “Los tres osos” y “La gallinita roja.” Aprende con cuentos de autodescubrimiento como “El patito feo,” o con cuentos conmovedores sobre la amistad como “El león y el ratoncito.” Escucha fábulas de autores clásicos incluyendo Hans Christian Andersen y Esopo. Con narraciones expertas diseñadas para cautivar a cualquier persona que las escuche, esta colección creará momentos de alegría y maravilla.

  • Cuentos Clásicos Para Niños

  • By The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop, Arezo Mayaar, and Lauren Kratz Prushko

    Adapted by LibraryCall

    Translated by Lorena Romero and Stephaney Cortes Alvarado

    Read by Lorena Romero, Stephaney Cortes Alvarado, and Daniel Fernando

  • Release Date: 5/07/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

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  • El patito feo

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Translated by Lorena Romero

    Read by Lorena Romero

  • Release Date: 3/12/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

  En este cuento clásico, un patito es rechazado porque es diferente. Se embarca en un viaje para descubrir su verdadera belleza. / In this classic story, a duckling is rejected because he is different. He embarks on a journey and discovers his true beauty.

  • El patito feo

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Translated by Lorena Romero

    Read by Lorena Romero

  • Release Date: 3/12/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

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  • La sirenita

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Translated by Lorena Romero

    Read by Lorena Romero

  • Release Date: 3/12/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

  Hace mucho tiempo, en las profundidades del mar, vivía una sirenita que quería ser humana. / Long ago, deep beneath the sea, there lived a mermaid who longed to be human.

  • La sirenita

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Translated by Lorena Romero

    Read by Lorena Romero

  • Release Date: 3/12/24

  • Formats: cpid_11

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• 

  • The Ultimate Classic Collection for Children

  • Stories by L. M. Montgomery, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, The Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Frances Hodgson Burnett, George Zarr, and L. Frank Baum

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 6/21/22

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  This delightful collection of thirteen children’s classic stories features Alice in Wonderland*, The Bell, A Christmas Carol, Cinderella*, Emily of New Moon, The Little Match Girl, The Little Mermaid, Little Red Riding Hood, Scourge of the Desert**, The Secret Garden, Sleeping Beauty*, Snow White*, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

  *Awarded Gold (full-cast dramatization) – HEAR Now: The Audio Fiction and Arts Festival
  ** International Radio Festival Winner

  • The Ultimate Classic Collection for Children

  • Stories by L. M. Montgomery, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, The Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Frances Hodgson Burnett, George Zarr, and L. Frank Baum

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 6/21/22

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • The Little Mermaid

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted for audio by Diane Vanden Hoven

    Directed by George Zarr

    Read by Noelle Dupuis

  • Release Date: 5/24/22

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Far out at sea, where the water is the bluest of blue, lived a Little Mermaid with her five sisters in an enchanting underwater city surrounded by beautiful flowers and exotic fish of all kinds. Fascinated by stories of the world beyond where the animals and humans dwell, they eagerly awaited their turn to the surface. So, as decree allowed, the Little Mermaid was permitted to rise out of the sea to sit on the rocks in the moonlight on her sixteenth birthday. In this strange new world, she saves a charming prince from certain death and falls in love. But to be with him, the Little Mermaid must make a pact with the Sea Witch, with tragic consequences. 

  • The Little Mermaid

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted for audio by Diane Vanden Hoven

    Directed by George Zarr

    Read by Noelle Dupuis

  • Release Date: 5/24/22

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • Wonder Tales: Favorite Fairy Tales from Around the World

  • By The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, Charles Perrault, Madame de Beaumont, and Joseph Jacobs

    Edited by Elizabeth Klett

    Read by Elizabeth Klett

  • Release Date: 10/13/20

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  This collection of forty fairy tales contains well-known favorites from authors like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, Charles Perrault, Madame de Beaumont, and Joseph Jacobs. It also collects rare gems from folk tale traditions around the world, from Germany to China, from Scandinavia to Arabia, from Russia to Japan, and from Italy to Canada. These beautiful, frightening, funny, romantic, and whimsical stories will introduce you to princesses in peril, beastly brides and grooms, adults and children behaving badly, daring and adventurous girls, and clever and devious tricksters. These wondrous tales will be enjoyed by listeners both young and old.

  • Wonder Tales: Favorite Fairy Tales from Around the World

  • By The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, Charles Perrault, Madame de Beaumont, and Joseph Jacobs

    Edited by Elizabeth Klett

    Read by Elizabeth Klett

  • Release Date: 10/13/20

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Learn More
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  • The Bell

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted for audio and directed by George Zarr

    Produced by Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre and The First Noelle Productions

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 11/22/16

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  In this classic tale adapted from a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, the residents of the little village of Langtvæk awaken one overcast morning to the distant ringing of a bell. Forced to wear earplugs to drown out the constant tolling, the sleepless king offers a reward to anyone who finds and stops the bell from ringing.

  Lecia, a young impoverished girl from the village, volunteers to set out on the dangerous quest into the Dark Forest of No Return and earn the reward money for her mother. Along the way she meets Frederik, a handsome young boy who plays a wooden flute. As they continue their journey together, they encounter bonkberries, a treacherous ravine, and come face to face with a tritch—a tricky witch. A growing fondness develops between the two, but will it be enough for them to survive the ordeal and collect the reward?

  This delightful full-cast dramatization by award-winning radio dramatist George Zarr features original music and songs with captivating sound effects.

  • The Bell

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted for audio and directed by George Zarr

    Produced by Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre and The First Noelle Productions

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 11/22/16

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • The Children’s Classic Collection

  • By Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Hans Christian Andersen, and Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm

    Produced by Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 11/22/16

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  This delightful collection of children’s stories is perfect listening for the whole family. Featured are four beloved stories to entice your imagination, including A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, The Bell by Hans Christian Andersen, and Snow White by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

  Each story is performed by a full cast of voice actors with sound effects and music.

  • The Children’s Classic Collection

  • By Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Hans Christian Andersen, and Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm

    Produced by Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre

    Performed by a full cast

  • Release Date: 11/22/16

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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• 

  • The Snow Queen

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Read by Katherine Kellgren

  • Release Date: 6/15/14

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Hans Christian Andersen's beloved tale The Snow Queen is an enchanting story of the bond of love and friendship between young playmates Kai and Gerda. When a small shard of a wicked troll's broken mirror lodges in Kai's eye and heart, he loses his joyfulness and sees only the world's imperfections. With his heart turned to ice, the Snow Queen kidnaps him and returns to her castle in the far northern reaches of Lapland.

  Gerda, heartbroken but innocent and full of love, sets out to find her dear friend. Along the way she encounters a bewitching old woman, talking crows, a prince and princess, and others who help her on her journey. With childlike faith and pureness. she finds the strength to continue on to the Snow Queen's isolated palace, never giving up on hope that she will reunite with Kai and thaw his heart.

  Told in seven parts, this classic fairy tale is considered one of Andersen's finest works and has inspired countless other stories, including Disney's smash hit Frozen. Princess-obsessed kids and parents alike will be charmed by Gerda's perseverance and faith throughout this tale of friendship, love, and bravery.

  • The Snow Queen

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Read by Katherine Kellgren

  • Release Date: 6/15/14

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • The Yellow Fairy Book: How to Tell a True Princess

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Edited by Andrew Lang

    Read by Robin Eller

  • Release Date: 6/13/13

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  From 1889 to 1910, Scottish author and journalist Andrew Lang collected more than four hundred fairy tales from sources throughout the world. Organized into twelve volumes, he distinguished each by the color of the book cover. The books were immensely popular and helped change the public notion that fairy tales were unsuitable for young readers.

  Included in this audiobook is "How to Tell a True Princess" from The Yellow Fairy Book. Originally written by Hans Christian Anderson under the title "The Princess and the Pea," this is the story of a prince and his quest to find a true princess.

  Proceeds from sale of this title go to Reach Out and Read, an innovative literacy advocacy organization.
  

  • The Yellow Fairy Book: How to Tell a True Princess

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Edited by Andrew Lang

    Read by Robin Eller

  • Release Date: 6/13/13

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • Another Children’s Listening Library

  • By Alcazar AudioWorks

    Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, The Brothers Grimm, and others

    Read by various narrators

  • Release Date: 1/01/13

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Enjoy a timeless collection of children's fairy tales from Denmark, England, France, and more. Another Children's Listening Library includes

  1. "The Princess and the Pea" by Hans Christian Andersen
  2. "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen
  3. "The Emperor's New Suit" by Hans Christian Andersen
  4. "The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen
  5. "The Happy Family" by Hans Christian Andersen
  6. "The Little Match-Seller" by Hans Christian Andersen
  7. "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen
  8. "The Nightingale" by Hans Christian Andersen
  9. "The Pea Blossom" by Hans Christian Andersen
  10. "The Red Shoes" by Hans Christian Andersen
  11. "Thumbelina" by Hans Christian Andersen
  12. "The Brave Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Andersen
  13. "Whittington and His Cat"
  14. "The Story of the Three Little Pigs"
  15. "Henny Penny"
  16. "Jack the Giant Killer"
  17. "Johnny-Cake"
  18. "The Story of the Three Bears"
  19. "The History of Tom Thumb"
  20. "Jack and the Beanstalk"
  21. "Ashputtel" by the Brothers Grimm
  22. "Cat and Mouse in Partnership" by the Brothers Grimm
  23. "Cat-Skin" by the Brothers Grimm
  24. "Clever Elsie" by the Brothers Grimm
  25. "Hansel and Gretel" by the Brothers Grimm
  26. "Jorinda and Jorindel" by the Brothers Grimm
  27. "Doctor Knowall" by the Brothers Grimm
  28. "Rapunzel" by the Brothers Grimm
  29. "Little Red Cap, or Little Red Riding Hood" by the Brothers Grimm
  30. "The Elves and the Shoemaker" by the Brothers Grimm
  31. "Old Sultan" by the Brothers Grimm
  32. "Snow-White and Rose-Red" by the Brothers Grimm
  33. "Frederick and Catherine" by the Brothers Grimm
  34. "Blue Beard" by Charles Perrault
  35. "Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper" by Charles Perrault
  36. "The Fairies" by Charles Perrault
  37. "The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots" by Charles Perrault
  38. "Little Red Riding Hood" by Charles Perrault
  39. "The Sleeping Beauty" by Charles Perrault
  40. "Little Tom Thumb" by Charles Perrault
  41. "Riquet with the Tuft" by Charles Perrault
  42. "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde
  43. "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde
  44. "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde
  45. "The Devoted Friend" by Oscar Wilde
  46. "The Remarkable Rocket" by Oscar Wilde

  • Another Children’s Listening Library

  • By Alcazar AudioWorks

    Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, The Brothers Grimm, and others

    Read by various narrators

  • Release Date: 1/01/13

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Learn More
• 

  • Selections from the Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Read by Bobbie Frohman

  • Release Date: 1/01/12

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Enjoy a timeless collection of children's fairy tales from Denmark, written by the legendary Hans Christian Andersen. Stories include:

  1. "The Princess and the Pea"
  2. "The Ugly Duckling"
  3. "The Emperor's New Suit"
  4. "The Fir Tree"
  5. "The Happy Family"
  6. "The Little Match-Seller"
  7. "The Little Mermaid"
  8. "The Nightingale"
  9. "The Pea Blossom"
  10. "The Red Shoes"
  11. "Thumbelina"
  12. "The Brave Tin Soldier"

  • Selections from the Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Read by Bobbie Frohman

  • Release Date: 1/01/12

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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  • Thumbelina

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted by Inna Shapiro

    Read by Ursula Anderman and Tamsin Greig

  • Release Date: 8/04/10

  • Formats: Digital Audy

  Thumbelina is the story about a little girl’s dedication and love for the old woman who gave her life. This is a new version of a classic tale set to beautiful classical music from beginning to end.

  Once upon a time, there was an old woman. She was very kind and loving. She also was very lonely, because she had no children. Quite often, she dreamed about having a little girl whom she would love and care for. One morning, in one of her flowers, she found a little girl. The girl was so small—smaller than the thumb on the old woman’s hand. The woman gave her a name: Thumbelina. She loved to take care of her little granddaughter, and Thumbelina loved to help her granny to take care of her flowers and feed the birds in their garden. They were very happy together. But one night, a big, ugly toad jumped through the window and took the girl away. The toad wanted Thumbelina to marry her son. The marriage didn’t take place, but Thumbelina was left alone in the middle of the swamp, not knowing how she could get back home to the old woman, who, she knew, was very worried about her. On her way back home, she met a lot of strange characters: a large may bug, a small mouse, a blind mole, and a beautiful prince—some good, some not so good, and some quite ignorant. The end of this story will touch your heart.

  • Thumbelina

  • By Hans Christian Andersen

    Adapted by Inna Shapiro

    Read by Ursula Anderman and Tamsin Greig

  • Release Date: 8/04/10

  • Formats: Digital Audy

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