Originally written for the narration of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s 2016 Christmas concert, David Warner’s hope-filled adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl” comes to life in this new children’s book beautifully illustrated by Greg Newbold.

One of the wonderful Christmas traditions in Salt Lake City is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square annual Christmas concert. In 2016, Rolando Villazón, one of the most critically acclaimed and versatile tenors in the world, was the guest soloist and narrator for the concert. Celebrating Christmas through the eyes of a child, the concert delivered a unique and poignant cross-cultural holiday celebration by weaving much-loved, traditional Latin American holiday songs with classic carols. Culminating the program was Mr. Villazón’s beautiful narration of “The Little Match Girl.”

Few storytellers have woven more timeless and beloved tales than Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.  From his fairy tales to his poetry to his plays, Andersen captured the depths of the human experience and crafted stories that have resonated through the ages.

Though on the surface the little match girl seems the picture of misery and despair, her story is one of hope for a better life and assurance that a joyous reunion in heaven is awaiting even God’s most helpless children.  Despite her suffering, the little girl finds warmth and light, ever believing that all will be right in the end. It is a message that has stood the test of time—and one that reminds each of us to look for ways to bring the warmth of love and light of understanding to others.

The Little Match Girl book is available at Deseret Book, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other retailers. Audio and video versions of “The Little Match Girl” story as narrated by Rolando Villazón with accompanying music by Mack Wilberg are included on the recently released O Come, Little Children CD and DVD.  Both are available for purchase or download. The DVD may also be rented at Amazon and iTunes.