I brought Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen to class, but it also a good book. It is the story of a very tiny woman, born in a flower. She is stolen form her home in the night by a toad who wants Thumbelina to marry her son. Thumbelina escapes and is forced to survive the harsh seasons alone in the wilderness. She makes clothes of leaves and drinks dew from flower petals, but when winter comes, she has to seek shelter. She meets a field mouse who lets Thumbelina live with her in exchange for her working for the mouse. After some time, the mouse decides to sell Thumbelina's hand in marriage to a mole who is very mean. To escape, Thumbelina rides on the wings of a friendly swallow and arrives safely to a warm field of flowers many miles away. It is here, in the flowers, that she meets many people her size and falls in love with a prince whom she marries.
This is a good book for many reasons. First off, it is very original and creative. This book allows children to imagine a world where animals talk and where people can be as small as a thumb. This book also tells the truth. Most of the story is sad because Thumbelina is not living in a nice world and terrible things happen to her, but in the end she is happy and safe. I think this showed strength in her character and the ability to fight for her happiness while struggling to live in many different environments.There is certainly a moral to the story, but it was not spelled out and you have to read and think to find it which is engaging to most young readers. Overall this is an enjoyable book full of excitement and fun. I think it is a good book for children.
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I belive that a teacher read this book when I was in one of the younger grades in elemenatary school. I don't remember much about the book though. However,from what you have stated about the book it definitly meets the standards to be called a "good" children's book. I believe a "good" children's book sparks a child's imagination especially in the younger grades. It also helps it to be a "good" book because like you said it is full of fun and excitement.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Thumbelina as a child and enjoying it a lot. Hans Christian Andersen is a great author of modern fantasy books. I agree that Thumbelina is a "good" book.
ReplyDeleteI remember Thumbelina as well. Good Choice.
ReplyDeleteI remember Thumbelina. I think I watched it on tv. I know she marries the prince at the end, but does she ever see her "mother" again?
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