The Little Mermaid

by Hans Christian Andersen and Ian Beck

Book Overview

Once there was a little mermaid who fell in love with a human boy . . . The story may be familiar, but Lisbeth Zwerger's art makes this fairytale seem brand-new. This Jubilee edition, celebrating 200 years of Hans Christian Andersen, is superbly illustrated in Zwerger's signature style. Known for her popular and award-winning editions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, Zwerger is herself the recipient of the Hans Christian...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805010106
• ISBN13: 9780805010107
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 2.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 7 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 2 and higher

Customer Reviews

Beautiful images and original re-telling of a Classic

I would give this book 5 stars on aesthetic appeal alone, and another 5 stars for its retelling of Andersen's classic fairy tale. However, I am removing a star, down to 4 stars, as the themes are a bit dark, and heavy. This is not light reading for a small child, but a complex, compelling story of a Little Mermaid to whom an eternal soul is gained through her growth and understanding of love. My 6 year old daughter seemed quite surprised by the original ending - Not the glorified, lighthearted Disney ending of the movie. However, a few days later, she surprised me more by telling me that she liked this story better than the Disney movie. I think an older child, age 6-10 will get the most from this book. There are references (to the sea witch taking the mermaid's tongue; and to the pain she endures for gaining legs, and above all, death) that I think a younger child would have trouble getting past on the way to the positive, yet subtle message written within.

One of my childhood favorites

I remember when I got this when I was a tiny girl and I loved it even more than the Disney version. Then I ended up losing it and I ended up forgetting about it. Then a few weeks ago, I suddenly remembered it and wished that I hadn't lost it since it was one of my favorite tales as a child. I found it on here and instantly ordered it and immensely enjoyed the memories that I once had when my mom and I read it together. The story is much different from the Disney and much better if I may so so myself. This one is tragically written and fills you with despair. The Little Mermaid ends up falling in love with a prince, but the prince does not love her even after she has become a human and loses her voice. No, he falls in love with another young woman and she falls in love with him. Okay, the following is going to be a spoiler, so don't read my review any furthur if you don't want to be told what happens. Well, anyways, on the wedding day of the prince's and the young girls, the Little Mermaid kills herself and becomes an angel. This is a beautiful story for little children. If you ended up liking this, try reading The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I would rather prefer The Phantom of the Opera, but the Little Mermaid is good. Was this review helpful to you? Was this review helpful to you?

Beautiful Book

This is probably the most beautiful and well executed book I have had the pleasure of experiencing. I collect art and this is truly a work of art. It harks back to the children's books of the past such as Dulac. I will enjoy this book for years to come and recommend it to all who can appreciate great art and a great storyteller, that is Mr. Anderson.

An enchanted classical "pictorial" novel.

I read the story when I was 9, it was for school and I hated it. I always thought it is a girly book. Now I read it again with the fantastic illustration of Charles Santore, I know why Disney adopt it into a movie. If you are looking for beautiful modern children illustration works, this is the book you have to get. Charles Santore brings out the mysterious mood of ocean merfolk, which is something missing from any other little mermaid illustrations I've encountered.The book is a bit pricy but it is worth every penny. It is a classical novel with the quality of classic art.

A Wonderful Archetypal Study

This is a story of spiritual awakening as the Little Mermaid moves from a position of unconsciousness to one of consciousness thence to spiritual enlightenment. This is a story of transformation and of true mercy. Despite some of the less than palatable archetypal symbols, such as her losing her tongue, this book, like all faery tales, should be inspirational to all readers who seek to find meaning beyond the story in its literary sense. Truely understanding this and other faery tales will assist the reader to transcend this mundane world and discover new insight and understanding on a higher plane. Without this understanding, we are all simply unconscious.On an aesthetic level, the watercolours are well executed. This would make a perfect gift.