The Steadfast Tin Soldier - Hans Christian Andersen, P.J. Lynch, Naomi Lewis
This is a very sad and odd little story. I am a big fan of HC Anderson, but the truth is that he was really a big downer sometimes. If you know how his version of The Little Mermaid ends you know what I'm talking about. I personally enjoyed the story and it says some interesting things about fate and love. The protagonist is simultaneously praised and punished for his 'steadfastness' (which makes a lot more sense if you know about Anderson's disastrous love life). And the illustrations in this version are very pretty, but I'm just not so sure this is one that the kiddos will be asking to read over and over again.