Author Description

"A woman yearning for a child asks a witch for advice, and is presented with a barley which she is told to go home and plant. After the barleycorn is planted and sprouts, a tiny girl named Thumbelina (Tommelise) emerges from its flower. One night, Thumbelina, asleep in her walnut-shell cradle, is carried off by a toad who wants her as a bride for her son. With the help of friendly fish and a butterfly, Thumbelina escapes the toad and her son... Thumbelina meets a tiny flower-fairy prince just her size and to her liking, and they wed...." --