Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales are cherished worldwide. The great Danish author created timeless childhood heroes like "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Snow Queen," and "The Ugly Duckling." Andersen's life story feels like a fairy tale itself - rising from the son of a shoemaker to a celebrated writer. Heinz Janisch beautifully recounts Andersen’s extraordinary journey, weaving his narrative with the author’s most beloved tales. With stunning illustrations by Maja Kastelic, this book is a new treasure in the illustrated literature world.