Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales. First Series

"Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales. First Series" by H. C. Andersen is a compilation of imaginative mid-19th-century stories for children, filled with familiar tales like "The Fir Tree," "The Ugly Duckling," and "Thumbelina." These stories look at topics of nature, what it means to be human, and the difficulties of growing up, often teaching a lesson. As the collection starts, readers are drawn into two captivating stories, where in "The Fir Tree," a young tree wants desperately for something more than its simple forest life, dreaming of becoming as tall and impressive as its companions, only to face unexpected issues when it is cut down and taken away, which showcases the sadness of wanting more and not being happy. Right after, "The Ugly Duckling" tells the touching story of a bashful creature that has trouble finding its place because others reject it for how it looks, which brings it to a life-changing moment of accepting itself and finding beauty in being different, together setting the stage for the wonder and sadness that is common in Andersen's storytelling.