The Ugly Duckling; Written by Hans Christian Anderson, Adapted and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

The Ugly Duckling

Written by Hans Christian Anderson

Adapted and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Grades: K-3

Awards: Caldecott Honor 2000

This story was originally written over a hundred years ago by Hans Christian Anderson. It is brought to life for a new generation by Jerry Pinkney. The classic story is about an egg that somehow gets into a ducks nest. The duck claims it as her own but, it takes longer to hatch. When it does hatch it is the ugliest duck ever. The ugly duck can swim and keep up so she is happy. The other animals at the farm are rather rude and make nasty comments to the ugly duckling. The little duckling can take no more and runs away. He finds the marshes and two geese but, then he meets a dog and hunters. The dog thinks he is to ugly and goes away. The bird sees other birds flying and decides to try it. He flies! He meets others along his journey but, each end in disaster. He decides to just stay in the marshes all alone. After a while he finds some beautiful white birds swimming and he wants to swim with them too. He sees his reflection and does not recognize that the beautiful bird in the reflection is himself. When he finally does realize it he can't believe it. Children come to the pond and comment on how he is the beautifulest swan of all. The Ugly Duckling just needed to have some patience and he would be fine.