The Fir Tree

by Hans Christian Andersen

Overview

In this moralistic tale about appreciating what you have, a young fir tree is so fixated on growing up that he does not value his life in the forest. When he is chopped down and decorated for a family's Christmas decorations, he expects this to be the beginning of a great career. Sadly, this is not to be. First published in 1844 alongside The Snow Queen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781974995424
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	08/15/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	14
File size:	371 KB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish writer and author of many notable books including The Snow Queen. He specialized in writing fairytales that were inspired by tales he had heard as a child. As his writing evolved his fairytales became more bold and out of the box. Andersen's stories have been translated into more than 125 languages and have inspired many plays, films and ballets.

Date of Birth:

April 2, 1805

Date of Death:

August 4, 1875

Place of Birth:

Odense, Denmark

Place of Death:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Read an Excerpt

Out in the forest stood such a charming fir tree. It was in a good spot where it could get sunshine and there was plenty of air. All around grew scores of bigger companions, both firs and pines, but the little fir tree was so eager to grow up that it didn’t think about the warm sun or the fresh air. It didn’t pay any attention to the farm children who walked past, chattering, whenever they were out gathering strawberries or raspberries. Often they would come by with a whole pitcherful or they would have strawberries threaded on a piece of straw. Then they would sit down near the little tree and say, ‘Oh, how charming and little it is!’ That’s not at all what the tree wanted to hear.

Editorial Reviews

Andersen's strange tale of remembrance and regret hardly seems likely holiday fare for children. A small fir tree longs to grow and is never happy with his lot although the wind and the sunbeams tell him to be happy in his youth. Finally, the fir is chopped for a Christmas tree and revels in the celebrations. But in the spring when the brittle tree is hauled down from the attic and put in the bonfire, he realizes too late, ``if only I had been happy when I could.'' Using a variety of watercolor washes, chalk overlays, and fine line, Watts reinforces the storyline, but even her frequent use of yellow and orange cannot warm up this bleak story that suggests to adults that youth is wasted on the young.

School Library Journal

"Elegant"
— Vogue.com

"These two volumes – reprints of Andersen’s classic fairy tales – are published in new hardcover editions featuring illustrations by Finnish illustrator Annukka. Annukka has designed for Marimekko previously, and incorporates Finnish mythological symbols into her distinctive screenprint illustrations."
— Publishers Weekly 

From the Publisher

Paul Kennedy narrates Andersen’s dour fable in an avuncular manner that, despite his real expressiveness, will be hard for adults to take, but the story is too complex and bleak for an audience as young as his manner calls for. He reads with a Canadian accent. The brief story is broken up frequently by the Canadian Brass performing excerpts of Christmas music; the arrangements are often interesting but not necessarily kid-friendly or upbeat, especially the discordant and decidedly minor “What Child Is This?”. When the story’s ending--bitter, sad, regretful, resigned--is followed by “O, Christmas Tree,” it seems ironically cruel. Unfortunately, this program is misconceived for adults and children alike. W.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

FEB/MAR 06 - AudioFile