The Little Match Girl Author:Hans Christian Andersen, Rachel Isadora (Illustrator) The wares of the poor little match girl illuminate her cold world, bringing some beauty to her brief, tragic life. — Three-time Caldecott Honor artist Jerry Pinkney brings new relevance to the classic Hans Christian Andersen story — The wintry streets of an American city are thronged with shoppers, in preparation for New Year's Eve. But no one... more » is interested in buying the matches and artificial flowers offered by one little girl. Wishing to avoid the cold welcome awaiting her at home, she lights her matches for what little heat they can provide. The visions that she sees in their flickering glow warm her spirit, even as the brutal cold of night destroys her body.« less