The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen

by Beth Wagner Brust

Recounts the story of the celebrated Danish writer as an artist and of how and why he made hundreds of paper cutouts to illustrate his tales and give to the listening children.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography, Crafts

80 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely beautiful and fascinating paper cuttings; I thought the text would connect to them more, and just in general found it more unfocused than I expected.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew that Hans Christian Andersen was a paper cutting artist. I thought this book would be interpretations of his fairy tales by other artists. He lived in a simpler time when people made their own entertainments and this was a popular pastime.

[Jud Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for young readers, this book gives a concise and well-illustrated account of H. C. Andersen the paper-cut artist. All important aspects are covered--how paper-cutting fit into his life and practice as a writing and performing storyteller; the most common motifs (my favorite is the pair of "stealers of hearts," each hanging from a gibbet, clutching a valentine heart in one hand); and technique (folding, scissors, etc.).

Andersen was a popular performer of his stories. He would apparently do a cutout while he told a story and, the story concluded, would reveal the cutout with a flourish and then give it away as a gift to one of his listeners.

Books like these--well-written, interesting, beautifully rendered, on an uncommon subject--are why we need public libraries, which provide these books' primary, almost sole market.

[Dakota Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, simple book about a lesser known talent of the well known “fairy tale guy” was so precious it actually made me tear up a little at the end! Maybe I’m just PMSing, but reading about Anderson’s pure and genuine love for children and desire to entertain them during a time period where kids were often overlooked or supposed to be “seen and not heard”, and certainly not catered to in terms of book and play publication was so wholesome and admirable. Especially considering how Andersen had felt like an ugly duckling his whole life and had a strange and sometimes sad childhood himself. He could have grown up and put aside all his childish interests in order to be more accepted, but instead, he leaned wholeheartedly into his love for whimsy and became someone who children gravitated towards because of how he treated them.

I know Hans Christian Andersen was not perfect and much has been said about his eccentricities and at times, toxicity (in other words, he was a bit of a hot mess for much of his life). But this book highlights his sweetness and creativity and does a really lovely job of it. I also learned so much about his incredible paper cutting, and now it is 100% on my bucket list to visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark to see some of them in person.

As I was reading this book, (which I totally want to own a copy!) I was inspired to try my hand at paper cutting, and made some little figures for my nephew which turned out surprisingly well! Bubs didn’t seem to care too much, but my mom was impressed 🤣. I’m excited to keep trying. Will I carry a pair of giant scissors around in my pocket at all times like H.C. Andersen? Probably not, but he definitely inspired me!

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those special volumes that will appeal to people of all ages, IMHO. The biography of the great Danish storyteller H.C.Andersen will be of interest, to be sure, and it is written for/aimed toward younger readers. The true fascination of the book, however, lies in the illustrations: black-and-white renderings of Andersen's many paper cuttings. The book brings out his motivation for doing them, his procedures, and the effect the resulting intricate designs had on all who saw them. The cuttings are, quite simply, amazing beyond words in their imagery (many motifs drawn from Andersen's tales) and their staggering detail and delicacy. This is a book to be marveled over -- again and again.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the life of Hans Christian Andersen, the great fabulist and author, whose talent for cutting paper into intricate designs as gifts for children and his many hosts is highlighted here. The many paper artworks reproduced feature a recurring set of symbols - the pierrot (clown), ballet dancer, elves, goblins, hearts, and other human figures will fascinate the young reader. This would be a wonderful book for a young reader to use as a source for a research project.

[Lark-at-the-library]

"It is only when traveling that life becomes rich and vital. I must see and see again. I cannot do anything else than pack whole towns, tribes, mountains, and seas into my mind." - Hans Christian Andersen

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply-told life of Hans Christian Anderson and the fascinating paper cuttings he did while story telling.

[Susan Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off if you look at this book as a collection of images of the paper cuttings that Andersen created it works well as a picture book or coffee table book. However if you are looking for in depth additional information you have the wrong book.

All in all I was looking for an introduction into the life of Hans Christian Andersen with some biographical information with pictures of his artwork, this book achieved that. However I think even for a children’s book I would have liked more details, at least more than 80 pages worth (some of those taken up by full page photographs).

The book is written more like a fairy tale than a non fiction factual book which makes it a very easy read and I’m sure would make it great to read to a child.

There are good quotes in the book for example on the subject of Hans Christina Andersen’s thoughts on great men:

‘He believed he understood how to become one ‘First you go through a terribly hard time, and then you become famous”.

As this was a children’s non fiction title I was not expecting a comprehensive biography of Hans Christian Anderson and his artwork but I was expecting more.

Rating 3.5/5

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, indeed! As Hans Christian Anderson told stories, he'd also do elaborate paper cuttings. At the same time! The design that he would cut was unrelated to the story he was telling, so there was an added surprise when he finished the story and would unfold it. The cuttings are intriguing visual stories on their own still. Anderson repeated themes and characters, one I especially liked was his 'stealer of hearts' - a man hanging from a gallows with a heart in his hand. There's a particularly striking cutting of two people hanging from a gallows that rises from a large heart. Anderson did these cuttings so frequently, that he even carried his own pair of scissors around with him. This is a great little book, with beautiful reproductions that makes me yearn to visit the Hans Christina Anderson Museum in Denmark.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: The life of story teller and artist Hans Christian Anderson described, from birth to death, with special focus on his development as and artist and his creation of intricate paper cuttings.

Review: Personal in detail, yet very objective and grounded in research, this is a great biography. Those who have only every known Anderson as a story teller will be amazed at the intricate paper cuttings he created that were prized by his friends and acquaintances.

Horn book says it well in their review, "The text is thoughtful, informative, and well written, and the reader will want to pore over the black-and-white photographs of these small works that give insight into the mind of a great writer." Positive SLJ review as well, "An unusual book that combines biography and creativity".

[Dale Muckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read about and by Hans Christian Andersen, the more fascinating he becomes. Who would have thought that he was such a talented paper cutter, and who would have imagined that paper cutting was so popular in the 19th century? I do wish the book would have taken more time to discuss paper cutting in general. Andersen was something of a misfit as a child, and carried these feelings with him throughout his life. His stories and his paper cutting helped him fit it with others. Just as his stories have some odd and grisly things along with many delicate things, the content of his paper cuttings contains a similarly surprising variety of images.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle school level biography of Hans Christian Andersen focusing primarily on his paper cuttings. He cut out images in paper while telling his stories to audiences, especially children. The images didn’t normally match the stories, but the audiences loved them as much or more than the stories that were already becoming famous. Surviving examples of paper cuttings are in the book, as well as on display in the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark. Hmmm…new bucket list item.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm that kind of nerd.

The kind that owns all of HCA's writings and has read most of them (as fucked up as they are).

And now, I'm going to take note of the themes in his insane paper-cuttings and compare him to the themes of his stories.

For fun.



Why am I single? I do not know.



Alright, just flipped through it....
This is some freaky shit.
I nub it.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book and couldn't believe I never knew about Andersen's "other" amazing talent. Some of the paper cuttings are whimsical and fun. Others are mind-bendingly intricate. A gifted storyteller and artisan with scissors.

[TheRLPL Rice Lake Public Library]

Patron Review

This was an interesting book about a little-known talent of the author Hans Christian Andersen. It told facts about his life and showed many of his beautiful, elaborate paper-cuttings.

[Machim]

Children's Books

[Barb Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young adult, easy reader. Informative with delightful paper cuttings.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool. I had no idea he did paper cuttings, but apparently he was really good. Fun, quick read.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fabulous intro to the man and his beautiful papercutting. Great for an art unit on paper cuttings, story writing, theater, puppets, fairy tales, etc. He did all those things well.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silhouette class research.
His paper cuttings are detailed and charming. A great break from the traditional silhouettes of his time.