The Snow Queen
By Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrated by Sanna Annukka
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
ISBN: 9780399578502
Pages: 88
Genre: Fairy Tale
Book Blurb:
Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale of friendship and adventure is retold through the beautiful and intricate illustrations of Finnish-English illustrator Sanna Annukka. Cloth-bound in deep blue, with silver foil embellishments, The Snow Queen is a unique work of art.
Sanna Annukka is familiar to many from her collaborations with Marimekko and her artwork for Keane’s album, Under the Iron Sea. For her second book project, she illustrates Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen.
A beautiful gift to give and receive
My Thoughts:
Okay, I confess. When I first saw this lovely version of The Snow Queen, I longed to own a copy. This is the sort of illustration that I simply cannot pass up. The cloth-bound cover and classic fairy tale ensured that this needed to be the latest addition to my bookshelf. And that is where it proudly sits.
The Snow Queen made its way into my life at a very young age, and permanently earned a spot among my favorite fairy tales. I used to lay in bed at night and excitedly turn through the pages of my large collection of Hans Christian Andersen. I slowly slipped into a winter wonderland as I read about Gerda’s journey to bring the young neighbor boy, Kay home.
The story itself contains a beautiful message of love, loyalty and sacrifice. First published in 1844 and one of Andersen’s longest fairy tales, elements of Christianity and friendship are woven together into a magical adventure to remind us that even the coldest of hearts can be thawed by the love and faith of others. One does not have to hold religious beliefs though to appreciate the significance of this endearing tale.
“No power that I could give could be as great as that which she already has. Don’t you see how men and beasts are compelled to serve her, and how far she has come in the wide world since she started out in her naked feet? We mustn’t tell her about this power. Strength lies in her heart, because she is such a sweet, innocent child.”
-Hans Christian Andersen, The Snow Queen
Many are familiar with Hans Christian Andersen and The Snow Queen. When I requested this lovely title, my intentions were to review this particular edition with the new illustrations. Everything I can remember as a young girl about Greda’s travels holds true in this copy. While many films and books are believed to be have been loosely based on the this story (The White Witch in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Disney’s Frozen and various retellings) this is the tale as I remember it.
Beautifully revived with the magnificent illustrations of Sanna Annukka, every other page of this beloved story is bursting with exquisitely detailed artwork. A new-found joy has been added to an already endearing and entertaining read. I found this to be a wonderful addition to my collection and a must for all who enjoy fairy tales. I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my unbiased review.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Wow that is an absolutely beautiful book!
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It is! I love the illustrations ❤ Unfortunately with our grey skies and my crappy photography skills, I could not do it justice.
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I think you did an incredible job. Your photos alone made me want to read this book!
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Thank goodness! This was an odd one for me to review. I loved it, but it felt different. And my photo skills leave much to desire haha.
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You and me both. I have a bookstgram, but I’m not diligent. I feel like my photos are never good enough.
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Same 😅
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I received the book too! I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Im in the middle of another book. I have never read this story before and I was so excited to request it! I cant wait to read it 🙂 you wrote a beautiful review.
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. It is on the longer side for a fairy tale, but has always been a favorite of mine 😊
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I love Andersen’s fairy tales- my favorite from my childhood for sure 🙂
In Estonian the Snow Queen was also televised and it was such a pretty children’s movie…:)
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Oh nice! There were a few film and animated versions of the story over time. Only one of them really stands out from my childhood. I should watch it since I just completed a reread. I hope you are enjoying the weekend 😊
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And a good weekend to you too… I’m catching up with work before hols… *sigh*… gonna be a long night of research and no reading! 🙂
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Bleh! Well I hope that is as enjoyable as possible.
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Two words: intermittent procrastination! 😀
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What a lovely little gem! You had me at cloth-bound <3. Plus, that's an amazing pine tree branch bookshelf you've got there as well 😉 :-*. I LOVE Hans Christian Andersen's stories and this review just makes me want to curl up with one of them right now. Seeing it's a cold and dreary day today, I might even do so!
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Yeah, cloth-bound is a grabber for me too!
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Ooo that’s an absolutely gorgeous edition ❤ It's wonderful that the story holds such special memories for you ❤
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I love it ❤
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What a beautiful edition and I love the illustrations! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
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Thank you! I am going to look at linking up to the Sunday Post today possibly. If I can get it done before heading to the airport ❤
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You are right. A gorgeous looking book. I would want it on my shelves too.
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It is definitely a nice edition. I wish I would have had this when mine were a bit younger.
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OH MY GOD, those illustrations are gorgeous! So pretty and very… Scandinavian? Is that the name of the style? Very simple and beautiful. I need to get this book on my shelf ASAP, thanks for sharing it with us. 💕
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Oh, yes! Hans Christian Anderson. Thumbelina is my all time favorite fairytale. I had the View Master reel and I used to look at it all the time. I had couple of different books, but they were read so much they fell apart. The Snow Queen is one of his stories I am not all that familiar with. I will have to remedy this. I am so happy you were able to get a cloth-bound edition with those wonderful illustrations. Thanks for sharing your review. 🙂
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Oh I haven’t thought of a View Master in forever! I loved mine 😄 Thumbelina is a great one. I also enjoyed The Princess and the Pea! Have you read it?
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Cloth bound and beautiful! What a well-written review. Your memories of this tale just make this whole review even more precious.
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❤ It is a favorite of mine, along with The Princess and the Pea. Have you read that?
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I have a massive book of Anderson’s fairytales and I love them! I can totally see why you grabbed a copy. That cover reminds of those dolls that nest. I can’t recall the name of them. 😂 My mind is failing me. Awesome review, Danielle! I think I might be binging retellings in November, starting with Cinder. 🤗
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Oh I love Cinder! I think they are Russsian Nesting Dolls? Don’t quote me on that though. Retellings rock. November should be good for you 😉
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Yeah, that’s what they’re called! You got it! 🙂 I’m really loving retellings lately, especially Alice in Wonderland. 🙌 I have some good books planned for November. It should be fun. 🙂
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I can’t wait to see the line up. Alice in Wonderland is in my top two so I am down for retellings haha ☺ I can’t get enough!
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These illustrations are so beautiful. Have to say I hadn’t heard of the artist or the book but I’m so keen to pick it up now!
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O hope you do! This is my first encounter with the artist. Beautiful work ☺
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