Nice collection of some of the less familiar stories. The delightful illustrations are both helpful to a modern reader's appreciation, and old-fashioned in their style. The introduction & glossary (and translation note) are also interesting & helpful. The intro read like a 'frame' but there are no story bits by Alderson between or after the selections, making this large-format collection a bit of a challenge to read. One story per sitting is enough for me.

I wanted clarification on the 'jumping jack' that is made from a wishbone, and so I googled 'jumping jack wishbone' and found a different translation of the story 'The Jumpers.' [a:Erik Christian Haugaard|25915|Erik Christian Haugaard|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-e89fc14c32a41c0eb4298dfafe929b65.png]'s translation, at least of this story, is significantly more thorough, careful, and lyrical, than Alderson's. Lesson learned - if not delighted by a classic, try a different translation.

However, I still don't know how to make a jumping jack - there is a picture in this book, but I'm not mechanically inclined and further googling gives me no help. Do you know how to make this toy, with wishbone, stick, sealing wax, and rubber bands? ( )

Twelve of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy-tales are retold in this engaging collection, many of them lesser-known selections, rarely anthologized. Compiled by noted folklorist and children's literature scholar Brian Alderson - who edited the Viking editions of Andrew Lang's color fairy books, published in the 1970s - The Swan's Stories is organized around the central conceit of Andersen as a storytelling swan, with a literary newt acting as amanuensis. This is made plain in the introductory remarks, and reinforced throughout by the illustrations of the swan and newt to be found at the beginning of each story.

The stories themselves are fascinating (although none of them rank amongst my favorites), often featuring the experiences and thoughts of inanimate objects - a common enough theme in Andersen. Here the reader will encounter The Darning Needle, whose sense of self-importance is impervious to change in situation; The Collar, a starchy piece of clothing that likes to boast of his romantic conquests, however imaginary; and The Money Pig, an earthenware money box that comes to grief, while watching a play one night. Here too are tales of toys, from The Steadfast Tin Soldier, in which a one-legged tin soldier is faithful to his paper-ballerina love, to the Lovers, in which the non-romance of a top and ball takes on a different meaning, later in life. The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, which features two porcelain figurines in love, might also be classed in this category.

Other tales include: The Flying Trunk, in which a lazy young man almost wins the hand of the Turkish king's daughter, with the help of a magical trunk; Jumpers, the tale of a flea, grasshopper and jumping jack who all compete for the hand of a princess; and Grief, an odd little meditation on the relativity (and individuality) of misfortune. Rounding out the selections are The Browney at the Grocer's, in which a tiny house brownie learns the value of poetry; The Snowman, in which a snowman falls in love with a stove; and that melancholy holiday tale of regret, The Fir Tree.

Accompanying each tale are numerous delightful illustrations - both full color plates and black and white drawings - by Chris Riddell, whose artwork I greatly admire, since first encountering it in Paul Stewart's The Edge Chronicles. By turns sinister and humorous, melancholy and beautiful, these images capture the feeling of each tale perfectly. All in all, a wonderful collection, well worth the time of Andersen's readers, particularly those wanting to find some of the more obscure tales. ( )