Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center
Title: The Steadfast Tin Soldier
Written by: Hans Christian Anderson
Retold by: Tor Seidler
Illustrated by: Fred Marcellino
Hardback: 28 pages
Ages: 4-8
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf; 1st edition (October 1992)
ISBN-10: 0062050001
ISBN-13: 978-0062050007
Children of all ages have cherished this timeless classic by Hans Christian Anderson for many years, and for good reason. The beautifully bittersweet story of love and heroism has all the elements to tug at the heartstrings yet warm the soul. And, while not always considered a holiday story, this version with illustrations depicting a Victorian Christmas is charming and flavored with old-fashioned appeal.
The tin soldier is different from the other soldiers in that he has only one leg. But, even so, he is more steadfast than all the others— the one destined for greatness. And, when a little boy opens the box and finds the twenty-five men in red and blue uniforms, the journey of the steadfast tin soldier begins.
Almost immediately, the tin soldier spots a beautiful paper ballerina standing in front of a grand cardboard castle. It looks to the soldier as if the dancer, too, has only one leg because the other leg is lifted so high behind her. His heart is captured at once by the lovely ballerina, and he thinks she would make a perfect wife for him. He can’t take his eyes off of her.
But, at night when the house is quiet and the people have gone to bed, the toys come alive and play. Someone else notices the soldier’s infatuation with the ballerina, and he doesn’t like what he sees. It’s the jack-in-the-box (or the goblin as he’s called), and he warns the tin soldier to keep his eyes to himself…or else. But the tin soldier pretends not to hear.
The next day, the tin soldier is set upon the windowsill when a gust of wind blows open the window causing him to fall three stories to the street below, only to suffer (upside down) through a downpour of rain. After he is found by a couple of street urchins, he is placed in a paper boat that is set sail in the gutter.
He then faces a gutter rat, a terrible fall into the canal, and a large fish which swallows him up. But through it all, the tin soldier remains steadfast, brave, and unflinching. And his thoughts never stray from his lovely ballerina, even as he prepares for death.
Miraculously, the fish is caught, taken to market, sold, and brought to the kitchen of the house where the soldier’s journey began. After he is taken from inside the fish, the soldier is placed back in the living room where he and the ballerina gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes, saying much without saying a word.
But, for no apparent reason, one of the little boys throws the tin soldier into the blazing stove. Even as he begins to melt, he remains steadfast and his eyes never leave those of the ballerina. Just then, a gust of wind catches the paper dancer and she flies straight to the tin soldier’s side. The two perish, and all that remains is some tin in the shape of a heart and the spangle from the dancer’s sash. Together, forever.
Tor Seidler does a wonderful job retelling the classic story while still maintaining Anderson’s voice. And Fred Marcellino’s illustrations are simply enchanting. This book is definitely one to pull from the shelf during the holiday season, and throughout the rest of the year as well.
******
Amy M. O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas around the fringes of family life. She specializes in non-fiction, and her work has been published or acquired by magazines including Jack and Jill, US Kids, Guideposts for Kids, Learning Through History Magazine, Highlights, GEORGIA Magazine, Homeschooling Today, International Gymnast, etc. She is also a product/curriculum/book reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and a regular columnist for TEACH Magazine. The O’Quinns live on the family farm in rural south Georgia. You can find Amy’s blog, Ponderings From Picket Fence Cottage, at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.
Amy M. OQuinn, Fred Marcellino, Hans Christian Anderson, picture book review, Steadfast tin soldier, Tor Seidler
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