Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, weaves storytelling into the very fabric of its early childhood education. Preschools here embrace a narrative-based learning model where fairy tales, drama, and pretend play are central to the curriculum. Educators often use classic Andersen stories like “The Ugly Duckling” or “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to spark conversations about identity, empathy, and social behavior. Children are encouraged to create their own tales, perform puppet shows, and illustrate their thoughts in storybooks. Emotional literacy is a major goal; storytelling is used to help children name and navigate their feelings. Many kindergartens partner with the Hans Christian Andersen Museum to host workshops or walking tours around the city, helping children connect literature with their everyday world. This storytelling approach enhances not just creativity, but also listening, sequencing, and memory skills. In Odense, every child is seen as a budding author and dreamer.