People around the world love Andersen’s fairy tales. He wrote more than 150 stories. These stories have been translated into almost every language.

Andersen’s family was very poor. He did not attend school often. He tried many trades. Only stories and theater interested him. He could memorize tales with ease. When he was fourteen, he ran away to become an actor and dancer.

Like the ugly duckling, Andersen was awkward and clumsy. He was very tall with a big nose. He was not a good dancer or actor. A sponsor noticed his writing talent and sent him to school. In 1835, Andersen wrote Fairy Tales Told for Children. People loved the stories about rich and poor, spoiled and vain. Andersen’s language sounded like everyday speech. His fairy tales brought him fame and regard. He traveled across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Andersen had a special talent with scissors. To the delight of his audience, he could cut amazing paper creations as he told his tales.