Episode 14: Thumbelina

Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina isn’t borrowed from folklore; it’s one of his true originals. In this episode, we explore its strange journey: kidnapped by toads, mocked by beetles, nearly married to a mole, and finally crowned queen of the flowers. Along the way, we ask what Andersen really meant about beauty, virtue, and kindness (and whether he slipped a bit of himself into this tale). No need for a bird to tell the tale, we've got it, and we'll also take a look at Thumbelina’s film adaptations (yes, Don Bluth and Barbie).