★ "Thumbelina" is a classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, telling the fantastic adventure of a kind and brave little girl. It is not only suitable for children to read but also allows adults to feel the power of love and courage.
★ The exquisite illustrations by the internationally renowned Russian illustrator, People's Artist of Russia, and Hans Christian Andersen Award winner Boris Diordorov add more charm to the story. His etching technique brings every detail to life.
★ Whether for family reading or personal collection, this book is an excellent choice.

"Thumbelina" is a classic work by the great Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. It is not based on folk tales but entirely created by Andersen himself. The story tells of a lonely woman who longs to have a child and seeks help from a witch. The witch gives her a magical barleycorn, from which a beautiful flower grows, and inside the flower's pistil, there is a girl no bigger than a thumb—Thumbelina. However, Thumbelina's fate is not smooth. She is first kidnapped by a greedy frog, then falls into the clutches of a May beetle, and almost forced to marry a wealthy but selfish mole. In these difficult situations, Thumbelina always maintains her kindness and bravery. She once saved an injured swallow, and it was this swallow that helped her escape danger at a critical moment. In the end, Thumbelina finds her own happiness in a beautiful garden. She meets a handsome elf king, and the two fall in love and get married. The story ends with the kind and generous Thumbelina finding happiness, demonstrating the power of love and courage.

Boris Diordorov's exquisite illustrations add more charm to the story, and his etching technique brings every detail to life.

【Author】Hans Christian Andersen (1805—1875)
A famous Danish writer, known as the "King of World Fairy Tales." He created a large number of fairy tales suitable for both children and adults. These works are not only full of fantasy but also contain profound philosophy and emotion. Andersen's fairy tales are written in beautiful language and have touching plots, loved by readers all over the world. His works, such as "The Little Match Girl," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Little Mermaid," have become classics in the world's literary treasury.

【Illustrator】Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov
Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov is an internationally acclaimed Russian illustrator, a People's Artist of Russia, and a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2024, he celebrated his 85th birthday. This artistic master has made extraordinary contributions to the field of world literature illustration, earning countless accolades and honors. He is known as the artistic master who weaves fantasy worlds with his brush.
Diodorov's illustrations are renowned for their exquisite and delicate lines. Most of his works are created using etching techniques, where patterns are engraved on metal plates coated with varnish using a steel needle. Though technically challenging, this method achieves unparalleled fineness and lightness in lines—no brush can produce strokes as fine as those made by a needle.
Diodorov has illustrated over 400 books, including many well-known classics. His illustrations for Sergei Aksakov's *The Scarlet Flower*, A.A. Milne's *Winnie-the-Pooh*, Selma Lagerlöf's *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils*, Leo Tolstoy's *Folk Tales*, and Pavel Bazhov's *The Malachite Casket* are beloved by readers. He is particularly famous for his illustrations of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, having illustrated nearly all of Andersen's works published in Russia. Andersen's stories are Diodorov's greatest passion, and his illustrations for classics like *The Little Mermaid*, *Thumbelina*, and *The Snow Queen*—with their emotional depth and unique artistic style—have become iconic in the world of illustration. These books have been published in millions of copies in Russia and abroad.
Diodorov has also illustrated Russian literary classics, including works by Tolstoy, Blok, and Turgenev. His illustrations not only reflect a profound understanding of the original texts but also breathe new life into the words. A Japanese translator of Tolstoy's *Folk Tales* once remarked, "With Diodorov's illustrations, translating Tolstoy's words is no longer necessary." This speaks volumes about the exceptional ability of his illustrations to convey the spirit of literary works.
Diodorov's artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In 1979, his colored etchings (with watercolor and gouache) for Selma Lagerlöf's *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils* won a certificate at the All-Union "Book Art" competition, the "Golden Apple" award at the Bratislava Biennial, and a silver medal at the Leipzig International Book Art Exhibition. In 2001, he received the highest international honor in children's literature—the Hans Christian Andersen Award—presented by the Danish princess in Odense, Denmark. In 2005, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Andersen's birth, Diodorov was appointed "Andersen's Ambassador to Russia" by the Danish royal family and awarded an honorary title. His illustrations have been published in the U.S., France, Spain, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and other countries and are collected by the world's most prestigious museums. His works can be found in the Tretyakov Gallery (Russia), the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Denmark, the Ghibli Museum in Japan, the Slovak National Gallery (Bratislava), and private collections worldwide.
Diodorov's artistic journey began in childhood. His grandfather, the director of the Trekhgornaya Factory, had a vast home library. At the age of four, his grandfather taught him to read and flipped through books with him. His grandfather also taught him to bind worn-out books, helping him gradually build his own library. Diodorov recalled, "I was deeply fascinated by the illustrations in books—they depicted lives far more interesting than anything I had experienced." He excels in various artistic techniques, including copperplate engraving, watercolor, and etching. He firmly believes that "the book itself will suggest which technique to use—I listen to their voices." This profound understanding of books and mastery of artistic techniques infuse his illustrations with vitality and artistic power.
Diodorov's father, Arkady Leonidovich, was a renowned decorative artist who designed the Nakhimov and Ushakov medals. In 2018, Diodorov and his wife, poet Karina Filippova-Diodorova, initiated the creation of the private museum "The Road to Pushkin" in Pogoreloye, using part of the Russian Presidential Prize funds for its construction.
Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov's artistic career is marked by his pursuit of beauty and dedication to art. His illustrations have not only added endless charm to world literary classics but also brought visual and spiritual delight to countless readers. His artistic achievements and love for literature will continue to inspire generations of readers and artists.