Hans Christian Andersen retellings

Written by Peter Bently and illustrated by Claire Powell, the below picture books take Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tales and give them a brilliantly funny spin!

More information on the three laugh-out-loud retellings, published by Bloomsbury, can be found below. Enjoy!

Diagram of the life cycle of a frog, showing stages from egg, tadpole, tadpole with legs, froglet, to adult frog.

The books

The cover of a children's book titled 'The King's Birthday Suit', featuring a king with a golden crown, surrounded by colorful birthday decorations, a white cat, and a turquoise background.

The King’s Birthday Suit

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes gets a hilarious, brightly illustrated revamp in this expertly rhyming picture book. King Albert-Horatio-Otto the Third is so obsessed with clothes that he falls for two suspicious tailors promising the finest fabric. But will his new ‘outfit’ leave him looking red cheeked? This funny retelling encourages children to think and speak up for what they believe.

Perfect for children aged 3 and up, and shortlisted for a Laugh Out Loud Award 2023!

Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN Number: 9781408860144

Buy from:

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | Find your local indie

Cover of a children's book titled 'The Royal Leap-Frog' with an illustration of a king sitting at a banquet table filled with food and drink, surrounded by playful frogs and insects.

The Royal Leap-Frog

When a flea, a grasshopper and a frog compete to show the King who can jump the highest, it causes CHAOS in the royal dining hall. Who can jump the highest? Can the clever leap-frog use his wits to win? And will the Emperor's dog EVER get rid of the flea?

This funny and irresistible retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable, 'The Leap Frog', will make children laugh - AND show them that brains are sometimes better than brawn. With a pitch-perfect rhyming text by bestselling Peter Bently and illustration from Claire Powell, this is an unmissable treat for all ages!

Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN Number: 9781408860113

Buy from:

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | Find your local indie

Colorful illustrated book cover titled 'The Princes and the Pea' by Peter Bentley, featuring three characters and a large stack of colorful beds with a royal theme.

The Princes and the Pea

A hilarious rhyming retelling of The Princess and the Pea with a modern twist!

Prince Fred is on the hunt for a perfect princess to marry, and when Princess Ardwenna arrives seeking shelter, he’s sure she fits the bill. But Fred might just discover that he might not need a princess after all and perhaps his own handsome prince has been there all along …

Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN Number: 9781526641946

Buy from:

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | Find your local indie

Meet the characters

Colorful cartoon characters celebrating a festive occasion, including women, men, children, a dog, and a cactus, with gifts, balloons, and playful expressions.
A colorful illustration of a diverse group of nine people dressed in stylish, vibrant clothing, holding balloons, fans, and gift boxes, walking together with cheerful expressions.

Take a peek inside!

Animated scene split into two halves: on the left, a person in pajamas is lying on a bed with a dark wood headboard, surrounded by clothing, a hat, and a bag; on the right, a lively crowd of musicians and performers are playing instruments, singing,
Illustration of a cluttered, colorful room filled with clothing, accessories, and furniture. On the right, a mirror reflects a person trying on clothes with a friend. The room features various decorative items, framed pictures, and plush toys, creati
A colorful illustration of a diverse group of women dressed in vibrant, fashionable outfits, standing in a line.
Two women sitting at a kitchen table with snacks and candies, talking and laughing, while a third woman in pajamas is standing at the doorway, smiling and covering her mouth. The kitchen is decorated with shelves, jars, and a colorful window.
Illustration of a woman in yellow pajamas with white cat patterns standing on the left side, smiling and reaching out with her arm, while a woman with wild hair sits on a bed in a colorful, ornate bedroom on the right side.
A colorful illustration of a chaotic bedroom with a pile of mismatched beds, blankets, and pillows. Two animated characters are climbing a ladder off the beds, while a third character in striped pajamas stands in the doorway. Small mice are scattered
A large feast table filled with colorful desserts, cakes, and treats, with a man wearing a crown and a white chef's coat looking at the pastries.
A girl with curly red hair wearing a green plaid outfit and a yellow coat walks through a rainy landscape towards a lit-up palace with a green flag on top. The scene is inside a dark cave with hanging rocks and a forest outside.
Colorful cartoon insects and frogs on rocks surrounded by various flowers and plants.
A colorful, intricate pattern featuring frogs dressed in red dresses, bugs with green stripes and pink accents, bees with white bodies and green hats, and various flowers and leaves in shades of pink, green, yellow, and brown on a yellow background.
A royal feast scene with people throwing food and drinks in a castle hall, including a king on the throne, servants, and guests, amidst chaos and spilled dishes.

  • “A must have for your kids’ bookshelf and for a new generation of little readers, where happily ever after come in many forms!”

    Jess
    Waterstones Bookseller

  • “It's incredibly clever and funny, with amazing illustrations which are as elaborate as the king's majestic wardrobe […] they're absolutely stunning and take the comedy to the next level.”

    Picture Book Snob

  • Laughter, action, colour, rhyme, silliness, chaos, a king, a feast and a fairytale setting - The Royal Leap-Frog has all these”

    Sunday Times

Explore more books

Yellow children's book cover titled "Soft and Sticky" with cartoon animals, a fuzzy orange lion dancing with a blue dog in a hat. The authors are Jeanne Willis and Claire Powell, and there is a round sticker in the top right corner that says "BASH Book Awards St. Helens."

Soft and Sticky

Colorful children's book cover titled "The Rainbow Flamingo" with a cartoon pink flamingo with rainbow-colored wings, surrounded by rainbow confetti. It is published by Calderdale Libraries and named the Picture Book of the Year 2025. Authors' names, Catherine Emmett and Claire Powell, are at the bottom.

The Rainbow Flamingo