Hans Christian Andersen is another great book in Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's Little People, Big Dreams series. I have enjoyed his stories for many years, especially The Red Shoes (I loved Kate Bush's version/film clip of that story!). This version introduced young readers to Hans' fairy tales and the background behind his success as a writer. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.

I continue to love this series of books, and I'm always excited to read the new additions to the lineup. Didn't realize how little I knew about Hans Christian until I read this book. I loved the illustrations in this one--really seemed to show the lush world he experienced in his imagination across each page. And the way his story was presented (choosing to turn a loss into a place from which to create) was cool to see in a kids book.

This children's book goes (once again) to show that we learn everyday!

As most of us in the West, I am familiar with Andersen's work, it is with this stories that we grew up!

I never knew his life story though and this sweet book taught me about that.

The illustrations worked really well with the text and added to both the everyday life of the time but also to Hans' incredible imagination. Did you know that April second, Hans' birthday, is now Children's book day? Well now you do!

Loved it!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I have some mixed feelings about this one. I like that it is an educational book series intended to introduce young children to famous people and this particular book focuses on Hans Christian Anderson, but I did not love the ending. It sounds like it is telling children it is ok to not control your feelings to get what you want. While I agree it is a good thing to show your emotions, I also think we need to teach children that you should not use your emotions to get what you want. It's almost like saying it's ok to have a tantrum if it gets you what you want in the end. I was also a little thrown off by the illustration of the naked king which I assume is supposed to be the emperor in the Emperor's New Clothes. I'm not one to get offended but is a naked behind really appropriate for the age range this book is intended for? One thing I did love was that it highlighted how he went back to school even though he was older than the other students and it shows how important education is.

The latest extraordinary person to join the brilliant Little People Big Dreams series is creator of some of the world's best-loved fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen. And how fitting to have a book celebrating an author whose stories are adored by so many.

Hans grew up in Denmark and although his family was poor, they had one treasured possession - a book full of magic and fairy tales. When his father passed away, young Hans was forced to become a weaver’s apprentice. It wasn’t the life he imagined so, when he was old enough, Hans followed his dream to the stage. Having only been given small roles Hans turned to writing stories backstage, and it was there his magic began. Seizing the opportunity to return to school he sharpened his craft, but it took falling in love, and having his heart-broken for Hans to really unlock the beauty of his writing as his feelings spilled out onto the page in stories of mermaids and swans.

Wrapping up by explaining how Hans' stories have become loved by so many, and finishing with a biography page, this beautiful book celebrates creativity and literature, and shows what can happen if you follow your dreams and listen to your feelings. Another glorious piece of biographical writing by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with stunning, stylish illustrations by Maxine Lee-Mackie. Beautiful!

My five year old daughter and I love this book series; the Hans Christian Andersen addition was no exception! After reading the book, my daughter said she wants to be like the people in these books. That certainly is the hope isn't it? That our children aspire to their own personal greatness, and discover early on what they love and develop their skills to make a positive mark on this world.

This artwork didn't sit well with me and it was made even worse by the format that made all illustrations seem streched and words hard to read.

After reading the Rosa Parks book with the kids at the elementary school where I work, I couldn't help but request this one when I came across it on NetGalley. I think that I can safely conclude that I love the Little People, Big Dreams books.

I highly recommend this book, as the illustrations are wonderful and the book gives a good biography of the life of Hans Christian Andersen in a way that is comprehensible for children. It raised public awareness, is informative and is fun at the same time. I especially loved the brief history and photographs at the end of the book! It makes it more fun for adults as well. ;)

Another entry in one of our favorite picture book series. If you haven't checked out the Little People, Big Dreams series, I highly recommend it. These picture books are a perfect way for elementary school aged kids to learn about famous and inspiring people.

In this book, the kids can learn about Hans Christian Andersen who was born in Denmark in the 1860's. His family was working class and Hans' most cherished item growing up was a book of fairy tales. Hans was forced to quit school and start working as an apprentice after his father died. Hans was still young so hadn't properly learned to write. This didn't stop him from pursuing his passion for writing his own fairy tales.

This book is full of delightful, colorful illustrations showing key moments in Hans' life. There are also additional materials at the end of the book like photographs and a timeline of Hans' life. Highly recommend!

Really informative! I didn't know a ton about this icon and the hardships he lived with. Fun illustrations!

There is so much trivia regarding Hans Christian Andersen floating around on the internet (the anecdote about his visit at Dickens' house? PLEASE), that I sometimes can't seem to keep fact apart from fiction, yet this cute non-fiction book still taught me a thing or to about the imaginative mind behind The Little Mermaid and "The Snow Queen" - but apparently also "The Princess and the Pea"?! Cute and informartive, as always!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
I really enjoy reading these little books and getting snippets of information about someone’s life that shows how that person came into public awareness. It’s fascinating to learn how somethings came into being- for instance Hans Christian began writing his fairy tales in earnest after a case of unrequited love.
As usual I loved the artwork and my children were definitely eager to learn more and enjoyed the illustrations! Overall another winner in our household.

This was my first Little People, Big Dreams book and I am in love! The illustrations were beautiful and I loved learning about the life of Hans Christian Andersen. The book was engaging and informative. I also enjoyed the timeline and photographs at the end. I would definitely recommend this book!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I love the collection of Little People Big Dreams books. I think they are excellent biographies for children, which can be hard to find. I especially liked this one since I am familiar with Andersen's work. This was the first biography I had read on him, and the information was interesting and appropriate for children. This would be fantastic to read alongside one of his fairy tales.

Another amazing gem in this truly wonderful series. The story of Hans Christian Anderson is told in such an easy, engaging manner that all readers will be able to relate to and the words are complimented with bright, intriguing illustrations. There is so much contained within these pages to entertain, inform and inspire. The fact that one of the worlds greatest writers had trouble spelling will be so reassuring for so many children and their parents and teachers. The addition of actual photographs and a brief history of Hanson Christian Anderson is pitched perfectly and the whole book will encourage an exploration of the stories he wrote. It certainly inspired me to go back and re read some. I would love to see this whole series on bookshelves everywhere. Fantastic!

With huge thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an inspiring read.

Imagination Lasts Forever, is the Big Dream that Hans Christian Anderson has. He loves Fairy Tales since he was just a young boy. This enthusiasm never leaves him. He has a hard time, too because he is poor and must leave school and work a job he does not like. For a time, he goes to the big city, Copenhagen and joins The Royal Danish Theater. He can not make it as an entertainer, but that does not mean he forgets how to entertain! He goes back to his favorite way of expressing himself, and now he becomes the storyteller. He writes books most of us have heard of: The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Princess and the Pea. His books are beloved forever more by Children and Adults of all Ages. There is just Magic in his Tales.

A really fun fact was they make April 2nd Children’s Book Day in his honor.

So, for the child in all of us, I recommend this book. It is Wonderful. The Illustrations are Terrific as always, and help show the love and passion Hans has for Stories.

This is a Little People Big Dreams Book that is another Fantastic Book to the Series. It is Great for Schools and Libraries to carry this, so children know how many ways the world is open to them. A book about loving to write books will help inspire our next author or entertainer.

Thank You NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and Francis Lincoln Children’s Books for giving an ARC of this book. As always, I really appreciate it as I love these books.

Yet another masterpiece about the most beloved children's author. I never knew his own story and this book provided enough history not just about him but also encourages children to follow their dreams wven if you face hurdles on the way.

While I generally love all the Little People big Dreams books, this one was somehow lacking. Certainly it gave us a snapshot of Hans Christian Andersen's life, but if you were unaware of his stories, this might all not make sense. And, because Disney has sanitized them, and those are the versions most are familiar with, they might not understand the point behind the little mermaid, who lost her voice, and her life because of love.

This might be a good book to explain his life, or touch on it, at least, for those who have read his fairy tales. There are actually better books out there, that are picture books, that delve just a little bit more into his fairy tales and how and what influenced them.

But, on a whole, a good introduction to the life of the man.

<em>Thanks to net galley for making this book avialalbe for an honest review.</em>

Another inspiring book in this wonderful, growing collection of ‘Little people, big ideas’. Aimed at young children there is enough to engage with adults sharing the experience of reading with our little ones.
The author manages to compress the subject’s life into these colourfully illustrated pages that the struggles and successes are outlined.
In Hans Christen Andersen we see an imaginative child growing to share his poetic story telling we classify as ‘fairy tales’ that went on to fire children’s imaginations long after the stories end.
Above all it is a book that shows the determination of the human spirit, the quest for education through reading and writing. He returned to school to overcome his appalling spelling and grammar. I particularly loved the picture of an overgrown child trying to sit at his school desk.
Finally, it promotes reading, a wider love of literature and celebration of the arts.
Many visit Copenhagen and the statue of The Little Mermaid, this simple book will ensure anyone visiting in the future will be ignorant of the author who shared his own love of reading.

"It's never too late if you really want to learn."

I've talked about Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's Little People, Big Dreams series many times before on this blog. And it should come as no surprise that I picked up her Hans Christian Andersen story as well. I think the thing I love about this series of books so much is that there's almost always something new to learn. And maybe this is a call out to how little I know about all these amazing people of the past...but it's still fun to learn about them all the same.

"They had one precious jewel that they kept carefully in the cupboard: a book."

Oh my goodness, I could cry at how much I loved reading the story of Hans Christian Andersen's life in this format. It was heartbreaking and inspirational in ways I personally had not imagined. And Vegara does a beautiful job of weaving all the pieces together. Honestly, I think if I were to ensure I owned any of her books, this would be my number one.

Hans was a storyteller from the beginning and that is something that I hold so dear to my heart. I guess it's really no surprise that I fell quite hard for this book.

"Hans spent his free time writing."

Ah, me too, Hans. Me too.

Okay, but for real...I don't love the artwork. And, to be fair, I've never fallen in love with any of the artwork for these books. I really put this down to the fact that it's just not my style at all. But it's consistent throughout the series despite having multiple illustrators, this one featuring the artwork of Maxine Lee-Mackie.

I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with the artwork. It's definitely bright and beautiful. But I just don't care for it personally. And I don't really expect that to be the rule for anyone else. In fact, I kind of think a lot of kids will adore it. I mean, just look at how bright-eyed and eager Hans looks!

"It was full of misspellings, but he found it just delightful."

So, this is the part where I, as an educator who has regularly worked with kids who make multitudes of spelling mistakes (largely phonetic), the fact that Hans Christian Andersen persevered through his dream to tell and write stories despite struggling with writing and needing to go back to school at a much older age is so amazing. I legitimately do think that I will, at some point, buy a copy of this book for one of my kiddos.

There's something truly heart-warming to find someone who has struggled but was still able to succeed and recognize a piece of yourself in them. Especially in something like this. And I just...it gives me feels. I can't even imagine how much it might mean to someone who's struggled in their own school.

I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.