While the town judge was at his window, the son of the washerwoman passed before him. The judge said him unkind words to him about his mother. She drank to keep warm during the long days she spent washing in the freezing water of the river. He even told her son that she was good for nothing. But, not everyone thought so! Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author, poet and artist. Celebrated for children’s literature, his most cherished fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Match Girl". His books have been translated into every living language, and today there is no child or adult that has not met Andersen's whimsical characters. His fairy tales have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with the animated films "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and "Frozen", which is loosely based on "The Snow Queen", in 2013. Thanks to Andersen's contribution to children's literature, his birth date, April 2, is celebrated as International Children's Book Day.

Thirty of Hans Christian Andersen's most cherished stories in single volumes Illustrator various artists. Known all over the world, these fairytales hold stories of great value and are a source of inspiration for both young and old.

'A gripping portrait of three very different teenagers and one divided northern town, Ansar's moving, funny YA debut feels entirely true to life' - Guardian When three teens are landed with a community service order after an incident involving a spray can and an inconveniently timed patrol car, their stories start to converge. Amir is the angry boy who won't talk about the brother he lost - but he won't let his name be forgotten either. Eman is the awkward girl whose favourite evenings are spent at home watching TV with her Nani. Kemi is the determined athlete who knows she deserves as good a shot as anyone else - if only she can get to the starting line. As they spend more time together they learn more about themselves, and in the process realise the true cause of Amir's brother's death... This is one summer they will never forget.

Winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction The year is 1959, and fifteen-year-old Nipishish returns to his reserve in northern Quebec after being kicked out of residential school, where the principal tells him he's a good-for-nothing who, like all Indians, can look forward to a life of drunkenness, prison and despair. The reserve, however, offers nothing to Nipishish. He remembers little of his late mother and father. In fact, he seems to know less about himself than the people at the band office. He must try to rediscover the old ways, face the officials who find him a threat, and learn the truth about his father's death.

With a single kiss, a young maid saves her beloved from the Snow Queen’s icy imprisonment. When splinters from an evil troll’s magic mirror get into the heart and eye of Kai, he is tricked into accompanying the Snow Queen to her palace, and only the innocence and kindness of Gerda’s heart can save him. The inspiration for Frozen, Hans Christian’s Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” is one of the most beloved fairy tales in history. HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

There was once a boy who was said to be good for nothing. No matter how hard he tried, it seemed as though he was certainly good for nothing at all. To add to this sad plight, the bullies teased him even more for two things: first, that he had no name; and second, that he had no father. Not that he still had a mother, for she has vanished a long time ago. But at least, it can be said, that he had some memories of her. One day, this little boy takes off in an adventure of a lifetime that would help him discover the truth about himself and the world around him. Together with his firefly friend, they would travel into magical places, meet extraordinary creatures and learn priceless lessons along the way. Will he be able to discover his name? Will he finally realize his true worth?