Twenty-nine tales including "The Garden of Paradise," "The Shepherdess and the Sweep," and "The Tinder Box."

A new translation of the fairy tale about the vain Emperor whose only concern was his wardrobe. It tells of the clever rascals who pocketed the money given them to weave beautiful cloth for the Emperor but did not weave any, his flattering courtiers who dared not voice their own opinions, and the child who pointed out the deceit as the Emperor paraded proudly with nothing on.

Though the emperor banishes the nightingale in preference for a jeweled mechanical imitation, the little bird remains faithful and returns years later when the emperor is near death and no one else can help him.

The strength of a little girl's love enables her to overcome many obstacles and free a boy from the Snow Queen's spell.

The wares of the poor little match girl illuminate her cold world, bringing some beauty to her brief, tragic life.