National Network for Equitable Library Service

Thumbelina is the story about a little girl's dedication and love for the old woman who gave her life. This is a new version of a classic tale set to beautiful classical music from beginning to end. Once upon a time, there was an old woman. She was very kind and loving. She also was very lonely, because she had no children. Quite often, she dreamed about having a little girl whom she would love and care for. One morning, in one of her flowers, she found a little girl. The girl was so small—smaller than the thumb on the old woman's hand. The woman gave her a name: Thumbelina. She loved to take care of her little granddaughter, and Thumbelina loved to help her granny to take care of her flowers and feed the birds in their garden. They were very happy together. But one night, a big, ugly toad jumped through the window and took the girl away. The toad wanted Thumbelina to marry her son. The marriage didn't take place, but Thumbelina was left alone in the middle of the swamp, not knowing how she could get back home to the old woman, who, she knew, was very worried about her. On her way back home, she met a lot of strange characters: a large may bug, a small mouse, a blind mole, and a beautiful prince—some good, some not so good, and some quite ignorant. The end of this story will touch your heart.