The first period of his authorship (1828-1835) is characterised by rich imagination, merriment, and boldness, and also reflects an attempt at many different genres. The year 1835 marks the author's great breakthrough, first and foremost with the publication of the novel The Improvisatore but also through the publication of his first fairytales: Fairytales Told for Children. In the same year, the writer had his first breakthrough abroad, where he started to become well known and respected for his skill as a novelist.
Today Hans Christian Andersen is most known for his fantastic fairytales such as:
“The Ugly Duckling”
“Clumsy Hans”
“The Princess on the Pea”
“The Emperor's New Clothes”
“The Nightingale”
“The Little Match Girl”
“The Tinderbox”
“The Fir Tree”
“The Snow Queen”
“The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep”
“The Red Shoes”
“Little Ida's Flowers”
... and many, many more.
A total of 156 fairytales have been registered under his authorship.