Author:Hans Christian Andersen,David Tennant,Anne-Marie Duff,Derek Jacobi,Penelope Wilton
Here are four of Hans Christian Andersen's best-loved short stories, specially adapted for young children and read by some of Britain's most well-known actors. In 'The Brave Tin Soldier', read by David Tennant, a one-legged toy soldier falls in love with a paper ballerina. In 'Thumbelina', read by Anne-Marie Duff, a tiny but beautiful girl grows from a barleycorn which has been enchanted by a witch. In 'The Nightingale', read by Sir Derek Jacobi, an emperor prefers a sparkling mechanical bird to the song of a real nightingale. And in 'The Ugly Duckling', read by Penelope Wilton, a little bird is called ugly by others until he matures into a beautiful swan.
'A genius ... his is an enduring influence'
—— The Times'Resonates beyond words'
—— Guardian'That rare adult who can still think like a child'
—— The New York TimesHilarious
—— Reading Evening PostAccompanied by fun illustrations throughout, this series is a real find as a strong male narrator is a rare thing indeed
—— writeaway.org.ukFor the world today, Janusz Korczak is a symbol of true religion and true morality
—— Pope John Paul IIA rediscovered kid's fantasy to enthral a new generation. Nearly seven decades before a kid named Harry pottered about with magic, Janusz Korczak's orphan boy King Matt the First captivated children all across Europe. Matt's message of hope shines past Korczak's tragic end in 1942 at a Nazi death camp with 200 Jewish orphans he refused to abandon
—— ParadeMatt is clearly an ancestor of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's Little Prince
—— San Francisco ChronicleDermot's voice is blunt and hilarious, exactly what you'd expect from a boy of his age . . . The Donut Diaries is the perfect book for readers aged 9+, especially those who will soon be starting big school themselves
—— Wondrous ReadsA hilarious diary which will have the reader chuckling as events unfold - and empathising with Dermot as he shares anguishes common to many near-teenage boys
—— Parents In TouchThis is the funniest book I have ever read, I can't wait until the next book in the series. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a little laugh
—— Guardian Children's ReviewFunny and sweet in equal measure and I thoroughly enjoyed it
—— Writing from the TubA new twist to the diary genre
—— Irish IndependentLike a donut, this book is somehow sweet and disgusting at the same time. Oh, and it's very funny too!
—— Andy Stanton, author of MR GUMIt's very much that wet sloppy fart kind of humour. Your kids will absolutely love this book. It's a great "next step up" the reading ladder
—— bfkbooks