He was the son of a cobbler-awkward, funny-looking, and perhaps a bit crazy. But Hans Christian Andersen went on to become the most beloved children's writer of all time. Here in rich detail that includes quotes from Andersen's own stories, Jane Yolen explores his youth and how his words were inspired by life experiences. His was a childhood that saw the death of his father, an early love for the theater, and the burning passion to become a writer against all odds.

Lushly illustrated by Dennis Nolan, The Perfect Wizard is the ideal selection to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Andersen's birth on April 2, 2005.