Things You May Not Know About Hans Christian Andersen - Literature Activity for Homeschooling Teens
#childrensbookday
Once my sons could sit in my lap, I read to them. With colorful board books or favorite Golden Books, we would find a comfy spot, and they would pick what book they wanted to read next. Soon, they were "reading" the books to themselves.
Developing a love for reading continued in elementary school. I believe a lot of that had to do with the school librarian, Mrs. Kanak. With a delightful and enthusiastic personality, she was always ready to recommend the perfect book for each student. (When I would volunteer at the school library, she would even give me adult book recommendations!) Mrs. Kanak dressed up in costume for all holidays and even book holidays. Her passion for books and reading was infectious.
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You cannot think of classic fairy tales without thinking of Hans Christian Andersen.
I couldn't remember the last time I read a story by Hans Christian Andersen, so I purchased this compilation for Kindle for only 99 cents. The book contains all his stories, organized by publication date. Other than the toned-down versions of Andersen's most famous stories I read as a kid, I never took the opportunity to read anything else. Until this past weekend. It was an enlightening look at what was deemed fairy tales in the 19th century. I also learned that many of his stories didn't have happy endings.
8 other things to know about Hans Christian Andersen:
1) Hans was born in poverty on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark. His father was a shoemaker, and his mother a washerwoman. As a little boy, he spent days listening to the old women in the local insane asylum as they spun their yarn and spun their tales to pass the time. Listening to peasant storytelling in the oral tradition of folklore would help Andersen create his own stories.
2) Andersen's father only received an elementary
school education. Still, he introduced Hans to Danish legends and stories from The
Arabian Nights.
3) In 1819, Hans moved to Copenhagen. He originally
wanted to be an actor in the Royal Theatre or a dancer but was told he didn't
have the talent. Instead, he was sent to school for more education. He declared
it later as the worst time in his life. As the oldest of the students, he endured
bullying, even from the schoolmaster. After hearing about Andersen's life at
school, his benefactors brought him home to learn from a tutor. He later
graduated from the University of Copenhagen.
4) It wasn't until he was 30 that he started
writing fairy tales. The first four fairy tales published by Andersen were in a
paper booklet: The Princess and the Pea, The Tinderbox, Little Clause and Big
Claus, and Little Ida's Flowers.
5) Many stories, such as The Ugly Duckling, come
from Andersen's own recollections of his life experiences, including feelings
of alienation and bullying he had endured.
6) Most of Andersen's
fairy tales have unhappy endings. In fact, Disney's version of The Little Mermaid
portrays an entirely different ending than the original story.
7) Gaining fame for his storytelling, Andersen
traveled extensively throughout Europe. He met Charles Dickens, Felix Mendelssohn,
and the Brothers Grimm, all of whom respected him as a literary genius.
8) His first complete book of fairy tales was
published around 1835 and included all nine of those previously published as small
paper booklets: The Tinderbox,
Little Claus and Big Claus, The Princess and the Pea, Little Ida's Flowers,
Thumbelina, The Naughty Boy, The Travelling Companion, The Little Mermaid, and
The Emperor's New Clothes.
Read more about Andersen, Denmark, his fairytales, and
novels at the Visit Andersen website,
the "leading online world for everyone interested in or seeking information
about Hans Christian Andersen."
Homeschool High School Activities
Here are some things your high school teen can complete for
English or Literature credit:
1)
Check local libraries, bookstores, or other
literary groups for storytelling workshops and book reading events relating to
children's book authors. Look for virtual events with authors.
2)
Have your teen read a short children's book out loud.
Have them practice reading as if they were recording an audiobook, practicing voice
characterizations and inflection. If you have more than one student, have them
write and act out a short story.
3)
Research the background of Hans Christian
Andersen. Because many stories include reflections of his negative life
experiences, list periods of his life that may have translated into his
writing.
4)
Purchase or download
a book of Andersen's Fairy Tales. Some of Andersen's stories have more depressing
endings or endings that seem abrupt. Have your student select one of these tales
and have them write a different conclusion.
5)
Choose one of Andersen's tales that is geared
more toward adults. Have your teen write an essay. What makes this story for
an adult rather than a child? What is Andersen trying to convey with the story?
Is there a moral? If so, what is it?
6)
Select one of the famous stories that your
teen knows. Have them write an essay. Do people have a tendency to want more
happy endings for their stories or more angst? Give some reasons why that may
be. What attributes of the story could be a reflection of one a life experience
of Andersen's?
7)
Share books: Find some books from your home
library that can be passed on. See if your public library is accepting donations.
Share the books with neighbors through a community Facebook page or other
community group or charity.
Other upcoming book events:
Week of April 4-10, 2021 – National
Library Week
Tuesday, April 6 - National Library Workers Day
Wednesday,
April 7 - National Library Outreach Day (formerly Bookmobile Day)
Do you have a favorite fairy tale?
Tell us in the comments below!
Resources:
American
Library Association
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