The Little Mermaid: The original tale as told by Hans Christian Andersen | With a collection of original vintage illustration – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Little Mermaid: The original tale as told by Hans Christian Andersen | With a collection of original vintage illustration

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

78%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Forget the singing crab; this is the 1837 original where love is a literal sacrifice and the ending is sea foam, not a wedding.

The Little Mermaid: The original tale as told by Hans Christian Andersen | With a collection of original vintage illustration

book

2023

78%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Forget the singing crab; this is the 1837 original where love is a literal sacrifice and the ending is sea foam, not a wedding.

4.3

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4.3

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid thinks the Little Mermaid is all about red hair and singing 'Under the Sea,' this book is going to be a massive vibe check. It’s the original Hans Christian Andersen text, and it’s bleak. We’re talking 'walking on knives' and 'having your tongue cut out' bleak.

That said, it’s a stunning piece of art. This 2023 edition pairs the raw, 19th-century translation with vintage illustrations that are just gorgeous. It’s a great pick for a kid who’s a bit of a 'dark academic' or a teen who wants to see the 'real' version of a story they grew up with. Just don't hand it to a six-year-old unless you're prepared for some very difficult bedtime questions.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10 and up. Younger kids will likely be bored by the 19th-century prose or genuinely upset by the mermaid's suffering and the lack of a happy ending.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This isn't a feel-good story. It's a heavy tragedy about unrequited love and sacrifice. While it models deep selflessness, the emotional weight is a lot for kids used to modern 'happily ever after' tropes.

Imaginative

The source material is a masterclass in world-building. Combining the original 1837 text with a century's worth of vintage illustrations gives kids a massive window into how different artists have visualized this underwater world.

Safe

It's a book, so there are no tech risks, but the content is physically and psychologically intense. The mermaid has her tongue cut out and feels like she's walking on sharp knives with every step. It’s 'safe' literature, but the 'surprise' factor for Disney fans is high.

Enriching

This is a significant literary work. It challenges readers to think about the nature of the soul, the pain of transformation, and the reality that things don't always work out. The vocabulary is sophisticated and the art is historically rich.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Uses the unedited 19th-century translation for a true literary experience
The vintage illustrations are a gorgeous alternative to the 'Disneyfied' look
Teaches that love and choices have real, sometimes painful, consequences
Great for 'dark academia' fans or kids who love classic fairy tales

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What to Watch For

The mermaid’s physical pain is described in detail (walking on knives, losing her tongue)
There is no 'true love's kiss'—the Prince marries someone else and the mermaid dies
The 19th-century language can be a slog for modern readers who aren't used to it

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the mermaid was willing to endure so much pain just to have a soul?"
"How does this version change how you feel about the Disney movie?"
"Was the Sea Witch a villain, or just a business person making a fair trade?"
"Is a 'sad' ending sometimes more powerful than a 'happy' one?"

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