Coast Weekend Editor Kathleen Strecker

My grandmother and I used to share a love of fairy tales. For my eighth birthday, she gave me a boxed set of two volumes: one by Hans Christian Andersen and the other by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

The Grimms were linguists and folklorists whose research into German language and culture led them to write down many of the traditional folk tales that had until then only been passed down by storytellers. Their tales involve talking animals, magical objects, evil witches and courageous heroes.

Andersen’s stories are much more literary. While they’re still undeniably in the fantasy genre, they’re laden with social commentary. Many of his protagonists are children who undergo great suffering and peril – and happy endings are the exception to the rule. The little mermaid, for example, doesn’t marry her prince under a Disney rainbow – she dies of a broken heart and dissolves into seafoam.

The contrast between the two books boils down to values. The Grimms’ heroes succeeded via personal virtues: loyalty, integrity, perseverance. Andersen focused his themes on social virtues: compassion, servitude, love. It’s a dichotomy we see a lot – Old Testament vs. New, red vs. blue.

Fortunately for Astoria audiences, “Thumbelina” boasts one of Andersen’s happier endings. And the Astoria School of Ballet’s production promises to be nothing but sweetness and light.