[2] Andersen biographer Jackie Wullschlager writes, "["The Tinderbox"] is a confident, young man's tale—jaunty, brisk, and exhilarating.

It celebrates youth over age and it has the energy and hope and satisfaction of a traditional folk tale—"Aladdin", "Puss in Boots", "Jack and the Beanstalk"—whose young hero overcomes adversity and ends a contented, successful adult.

"[3] In 1985, Gremlin Graphics released a ZX Spectrum-only children's adventure game titled Tinderbox,[7] of which all profit went to the Ethiopian famine relief fund through Soft Aid.

[8] In the game, written by Colin C. Chadburn, a wounded foot soldier named Tom must defeat a wicked witch and an evil king who together cruelly rule the country in order to save and marry the beautiful Princess Rowella.

Tinderbox received mixed reviews, ranging from only one out of five stars from Sinclair User,[9] to the scores of 7/10 from both Crash and Your Spectrum.