The Neighbouring Families

Andersen's gentle fable about tolerating different ways of life is entirely pleasant and the moral is clear, but it's one of his lesser-known works for good reason — the lesson is stated rather than dramatized, and the narrative depth that makes his best tales memorable simply isn't here. As a brief, charming read-aloud it works fine; as a title to seek out, it's a step below what the Andersen catalog has to offer.