The author Hans Christian Andersen is regarded as a national treasure by his homeland Denmark, but his popularity extends far beyond his native shores. As one of the most translated authors in the world, there are hundreds of editions of his books in many languages. He is known predominantly for his remarkable series of fairy tales, many of which remain classics today, providing both inspiration for many film versions of his famous tales, as well as new collections of his stories. Evocative and poignant, their rich narratives are hugely compelling and tend to explore morality in an accessible and thought-provoking way. He was a great admirer of Dickens, and they conducted a literary friendship for many years.