(2) K-3 Retold by Tor Seidler. Illustrated by Fred Marcellino. Andersen's classic doomed-toy love story, as reimagined by Seidler and Marcellino, is back in print in an attractive hardcover edition. Marcellino's lush, hyperrealistic illustrations, in colored pencil on charcoal paper, are from unusual angles that heighten the weirdness and melancholy of Andersen's original tale, ably retold (and abbreviated somewhat) by Seidler.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1993; November, 2017

(4) K-3 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Robert Ingpen. In this handsome edition (here reissued in inexpensive paper-over-board) of one of Andersen's best-known stories, the familiar text about the shunned duckling who becomes a beautiful swan has been smoothly translated, and Ingpen's rich illustrations are full of texture and show unusual insight into the animal world. Unfortunately, on some pages the narrow-margin text is a bit difficult to read against the illustrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Retold by JooHee Yoon. Illustrated by JooHee Yoon. Yoon faithfully retells Andersen's tale in sober prose and dazzling illustrations, created by hand drawing, relief printing, and computer techniques. The story of the one-legged toy soldier who falls in love with a paper ballerina and accidentally embarks on a series of adventures has its grim moments, and Yoon's art--with its layered patterns and textures, limited palette, and dynamic perspectives--revels in these.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(4) K-3 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Yana Sedova. This large-size, newly illustrated edition features art with delicately rendered details and dominated by icy blues. With the interest in Disney's Frozen, this should be a sought-after volume, although some may be put off by the lengthy text. The 1987 edition was illustrated by Bernadette Watts.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(1) K-3 Folk Tale Classic series. Illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton. In this inexpensive paper-over-board edition, Burton's sense of pageantry sets forth in beautiful colors the magnificence of the emperor's domain and entourage; her sense of humor brings out rightly the ridiculous situation with all its implications.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1949

(4) K-3 Retold by Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Jen Corace. While faithfully tracing most of the canonical story, Rylant pulls it into the mainstream with a happy ending. Rylant is an appealing storyteller, and the romantic outcome may suit those who find Andersen's ending hard to bear. In Corace's mixed-media art, with its puddled-on watercolor and flat perspectives, details can be intriguing, though at times the overall effect is cluttered.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. A successful abridgement (without attribution) of Andersen's original, omitting the Christian context, this complex picture book is marked by Ibatoulline's dramatic acryl-gouache paintings combining realism and fantasy. Gerda and Kai's great friendship remains at the heart of the story; Gerda's journey through different lands to rescue her friend, stolen away by the Snow Queen, will engage today's readers.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pirkko Vainio. When faced with death, the Chinese emperor finally realizes that the bird from the natural world sings far more beautifully than the artificial, jewel-encrusted music machine he has embraced. Richly detailed watercolors bring the luxurious court to life, including the little kitchen maid who first finds the nightingale. It's an attractive presentation of the well-known tale.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Retold by Rachel Isadora. Illustrated by Rachel Isadora. Isadora creates a sunlit African setting for her retelling of this classic tale, giving a new look to Andersen's story of a swan child born into a duck family. Expressive images show the protagonist's growth and development from lonely hatchling to magnificent black swan. Brushstrokes in oil paint make for eye-catching textures in the vibrant cut-paper collages.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santore. Andersen's tale of desire, love, and sacrifice showcases Santore's lush illustrations of mermaids (loose, flowing hair strategically placed over bare breasts), the prince's sumptuous palace, and the tempestuous and undulating sea. Save for a few awkward poses in the paintings, it's a well-rendered presentation.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Retold by Brian Alderson. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Alderson's interpretation of the Andersen classic is spare and folksy ("She wanted a baby real bad"), with instances of onomatopoeia (whisht!, rrrrh!) that enhance the read-aloud experience. Ibatoulline's acryl gouache and watercolor illustrations, starring a wide-eyed, golden-haired protagonist, are suffused with warmth and light.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pirkko Vainio. The tale about the cygnet who looks different than his duck siblings is lyrically related. Though this version lacks some of Andersen's harsher details, none of the animal characters spares the protagonist's feelings. The flora and fauna are realistically rendered in soft watercolors by Finnish illustrator Vainio.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Retold by Naomi Lewis. Translated by Naomi Lewis. Illustrated by Christian Birmingham. Lewis's Tales of Hans Christian Andersen contained thirteen favorites, including this story. Now she presents Andersen's novella-length masterpiece as a stand-alone, its text only slightly modified. Since the tale is no more abridged than before (a good thing!), pages are text-heavy; however, the generous number of illustrations are wonderfully inviting as Birmingham's pastels celebrate the loveliness of Andersen's language and imagery.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2009

(2) K-3 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. With her delicate, instantly recognizable style, Zwerger is an acknowledged master at interpreting classic tales. Although she has broadened her palette in recent years, this early work, with its acknowledged debt to Arthur Rackham, is well worth seeking out.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: June, 1982

(2) K-3 Retold by Stephen Mitchell. Illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. Mitchell's adaptation preserves Andersen's tart, bracing voice, as the cygnet contends with opinionated creatures from barnyard, marsh, and forest. Lacy, luminous art, rich with underwaterlike greens, gives the ugly duckling's emergence into glorious swanhood the visual splendor it deserves. The decorative paper that is the basis of the paint and collage art imbues the book with an air of fine elegance.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008

(2) K-3 Retold by Stephen Mitchell. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. What bitter dreams haunted Andersen when he penned this dark tale? Mitchell's excellent retelling keeps Andersen's quizzical wit and offbeat satire intact. Ibatoulline's expansive spreads, elegantly drawn in pen and ink, resemble etchings; the added watercolor is in delicate yet somber tones. Costumes and architecture suggest northern Europe somewhat before Andersen's own time, a sumptuous setting for this strange, provocative classic.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(3) K-3 Retold by Amy Ehrlich. Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Jeffers's gorgeously detailed illustrations draw readers into Andersen's tale of loss and redemption. This edition includes three new illustrations and a shiny dust jacket complete with sparkling silver snowflakes.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Retold by Lauren Mills. Illustrated by Lauren Mills. Andersen's classic tale of a tiny girl is retold with graceful language that remains faithful to the original. Precise watercolor illustrations depict Thumbelina with delicate features and auburn tresses. The toads, field mouse, mole, sparrow, and flowers are rendered true to nature, and an abundance of whimsical touches bring to life Thumbelina's miniature world.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Translated by Naomi Lewis. Illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert. This lengthy translation of Andersen's story of the princess who sets out to reverse a spell that has turned her eleven brothers into swans retains all of the elements of the original. The detailed paintings are rendered in rich hues and a sweeping, romantic style suitable for the classic tale. A spacious design lends the volume additional elegance.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Robert Ingpen. In this handsome edition of one of Andersen's best-known stories, the familiar text about the shunned duckling who becomes a beautiful swan has been smoothly translated, and Ingpen's rich illustrations are full of texture and show unusual insight into the animal world. Unfortunately, on some pages the narrow-margin text is a bit difficult to read against the illustrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt