Thursday, December 15, 2016

The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson; illustrated by Sanna Annukka

More info*
Publication date: 2012
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 45
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 8+

The young fir tree in the forest wants nothing more than to grow up. As it grows, it sees men come and get the tall majestic trees, and the small beautiful trees, and it wonders where they go and dreams of traveling.

I've read quite a bit by Hans Christian Anderson, but never this story. Like most of his fairytales, The Fir Tree is a moral story. The tree doesn't enjoy its youth or the small moments in life. The ending is actually rather sad.

Annuka's illustrations in this edition are gorgeous. The modern geometric pictures perfectly complement Anderson's 19th century story in a way that wouldn't seem possible at first.

This is a quick, bittersweet little story that should be added to everyone's Christmas reading list. As the rays of sunlight tell the tree, "Enjoy your youth!"

There is no language or sex.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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