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Rating: 
Summary: Richly rewarding for all
Review: The presentation of this book is superb; it is beautifully designed and produced, with charming illustrations that are especially apt, as they were executed by Andersen's contemporaries.
The admirable introduction places Andersen in the context of his time, and for American readers, links him to this country in a fresh way. A perfect length, the introduction provides the kind of information that makes one eager to get to the stories, yet it is not so detailed that, as too often happens with the more long-winded variety, it is skipped. Don't skip it, for it serves as an important guide to the stories, noting Andersen's adult concerns and anxieties imbedded beneath the surface of the tales, which remain wonderful out-loud reading for small fry.The stories themselves are a revelation--dispelling the prejudices engendered by Danny Kaye and Disney. Stories taken for granted are new and impeccably rendered in this translation. (Even the notes are great--and should be read before the stories, filled as they are with fascinating information. Also, they're conveniently placed at the end of each story, yet the pages are not sullied by superscript numbers.)
This is a perfect gift, but be sure to keep one for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much information for my kids
Review: What a shame! The book IS beautiful. I had hoped to give it as a gift to my 5 year old, but the biographical notes are much too sexually explicit.
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