Thumbelina

Luminous illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline combine with Brian Alderson’s wry retelling for a gorgeous edition of a well-loved tale.

A childless woman visits a witch, who gives her a barleycorn – and hidden in its bloom is a tiny girl. For one so small, life is full of misadventures, as Thumbelina floats through the pages like a wisp on the wind, encountering kind and unkind creatures in succession. But old Mrs Toad with her “rek-kek-kek” and the alarming Man in Grey cannot crush her spirits, and Thumbelina’s gentle concern for a winged soul in need paves the way to her freedom and happiness. In a warm, witty retelling accessible to younger children, Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb is lavishly illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Showcasing art evocative of Victorian storybooks – with a touch of the dreamlike Rousseau – this is truly a breathtaking edition of a treasured classic.