"the steadfast tin soldier" is a literary fairy tale by hans christian andersen. the story was first published in copenhagen, denmark by c.a. reitzel on 2 october 1838 in the first booklet of "fairy tales told for children." the booklet includes andersen's "the daisy" and "the wild swans". the story was andersen’s first story not based upon a folk tale or a literary model. "the steadfast tin soldier" has been adapted to various media including ballet and animated movie.