João Trapalhão and other stories

Hans Christian Andersen was born into a humble family in 1805 in Odense, Denmark. His father, a shoemaker, encouraged him to read the classics and enjoy telling stories. At the age of 14, he set off on his own to Copenhagen to pursue his dreams. In 1831 he published his first collection of poetry and in 1833 he received a travel grant and set off on his first great adventure through Europe, which was reflected in his motto “To travel is to live”. He never owned his own home, and despite several crushes, he never married. When he wasn’t traveling, he stayed in guest rooms or at the homes of friends and acquaintances. When he went out for visits or dinners, the children liked to sit and listen to him tell stories and watch him make his fascinating paper cut-outs. He wrote more than 150 short stories, for which he became internationally renowned. He was often inspired by traditional stories and developed his own style, especially in tales involving animals, plants and personified objects. Not only was he productive in this genre, but he also wrote novels, plays, travel stories – including A Visit to Portugal in 1866 – and poems, some of which were set to music and are still popular in Denmark today. He died
in August 1875, at the home of good friends in Copenhagen.

Being bold with frankness, imagination and intelligence is much better than having wisdom without a soul. Who will win the princess’s heart?
This book brings together four short stories by H. C. Andersen in a new translation: each story shows how creativity and critical thinking are more important than titles, whether you are a soldier, a prince or a swineherd.

Collection: Enchanted World

Author: H. C. Andersen

Language: Portuguese

Measurements: 139×210 mm (softcover with/ flaps)

Pages: 88

Publisher: TEGNER-publishing, Lda

Chancela: CARRACK books

First edition: April 2025