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Hans Christian Andersen's The ugly duckling
"Beautifully designed, glowing with rich, subtle color and light, with both creatures and people appropriately characterized".--Kirkus Reviews. ". . . this glorious work is a worthy addition to any folk- and fairy-tale bookshelf".--Publishers Weekly. Full-color illustrations.
- GenresChildrens
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 20, 2019
The Ugly Duckling, retold and illustrated by Troy Howell, was an interesting retelling of the ugly duckling that I grew up with. This story was more vivid, detailed, and filled with lots of long pages of smaller text to accompany the illustrations. The illustrations were gorgeous paintings, some that had beautiful summer landscapes with lots of greenery, water, landscapes, and bridges and cottages. I spent about 5 minutes just staring at the illustration on pages 8 and 9. It looked so serene, I wanted to be there! Along with being more lengthy and wordy than the original ugly duckling, this book also seems to be more detailed. The story follows the ugly duckling for a year, as it grows into a beautiful swan. The duckling is beaten, bullied, and even shot at. This version of the story is almost a little too violent for younger students; though these things are reality, one might not introduce this version until at least the second or third grade to make sure students have the majority to handle the more descriptive violence in this story. This book encompasses the meaningful lesson of bullying - why we should treat everyone with kindness and respect, because someone who you might not appreciate could actually turn out to be a really amazing, beautiful person, even if that's not reflected on the outside by societal standards. I would use this book in my future classroom most likely in a situation where students are mistreating each other, or if I were to see instances of bullying. It would also be a good story to pair with behavioral and moral lessons with our younger students.
September 11, 2019
The Ugly Duckling retold and illustrated by Troy Howell.
I believe this book would be considered traditional literature because this story/book has been passed down in many generations and has been retold by many authors. This book is about a duckling who everyone thought was very ugly, even his own family. So, he decided to go on a journey by himself. The story goes on and tells us about his hard and lonely journey.
Eventually, he grows up to be this beautiful swan and everyone begins to like him. I recommend this book to a third or fourth grade classroom because it has a great lesson in it and more reading sections than most copies.
I believe this book would be considered traditional literature because this story/book has been passed down in many generations and has been retold by many authors. This book is about a duckling who everyone thought was very ugly, even his own family. So, he decided to go on a journey by himself. The story goes on and tells us about his hard and lonely journey.
Eventually, he grows up to be this beautiful swan and everyone begins to like him. I recommend this book to a third or fourth grade classroom because it has a great lesson in it and more reading sections than most copies.
August 21, 2017
A classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. This popular story is one most people are familiar with, and has a good message about not judging anyone by their looks. The wonderful thing about the ugly duckling was that he didn't give up, he kept trying to find a place where he would be happy and not be treated poorly. The illustrations in this edition were lovely and went along wonderfully with the story.
December 14, 2018
The story of The Ugly Duckling was pretty much my favorite as a child. I've searched to find the version I'd always rent from the library at school and have yet to find it anywhere. This version is a little harsh for children to be read, I think.
February 3, 2023
Didn’t realize how long this book was. It’s a cute story with a good message but there’s pages of text so it’s easy for kids to get lost within it. I also think it would be hard to read to a class because of how the text is clumped together.
September 27, 2008
Grade Level-K-3rd
Genre-Fairy Tale
This is the story of the ugly duckling. All of the farm animals bother him, but mother duck tries to stick up for him. When the other ducklings begin to make fun of him also, his mother even says that she wishes he was not there. He decides to run away and finds himself alone. He tries to join other animals, including geese but they are being shot at by hunters. He then tries to live with an old woman, a farmer, and other ducks, but no one wants him around. No other animals will have anything to do with him because he is so ugly. He faces a long and cold winter alone. When spring arrives, he decides to approach a group of swans, but he believes that they will reject him just like everyone else. When they do not reject him, he learns what happiness is for the first time.
Activity 1: Have students get with a partner or small group and discuss the theme. The theme of the story focuses on being different. Have them write a name poem about things that make them unique and different.
My example:
A good listener
Scrapbooking
Has a twin sister
Likes Van Gogh paintings
Enjoys restoring furniture
Yellow is my favorite color
Activity 2: I would do a sequencing activity with this book. I would type up the main events in the story (Maybe 7 or 8) and have groups of students put the events in order. Examples of main events in the story would be: The duck is born. The duck goes to the barnyard to meet the other animals. The duck runs away and meets wild geese. The duck realizes that he is no longer ugly and finds happiness among the swans.
Genre-Fairy Tale
This is the story of the ugly duckling. All of the farm animals bother him, but mother duck tries to stick up for him. When the other ducklings begin to make fun of him also, his mother even says that she wishes he was not there. He decides to run away and finds himself alone. He tries to join other animals, including geese but they are being shot at by hunters. He then tries to live with an old woman, a farmer, and other ducks, but no one wants him around. No other animals will have anything to do with him because he is so ugly. He faces a long and cold winter alone. When spring arrives, he decides to approach a group of swans, but he believes that they will reject him just like everyone else. When they do not reject him, he learns what happiness is for the first time.
Activity 1: Have students get with a partner or small group and discuss the theme. The theme of the story focuses on being different. Have them write a name poem about things that make them unique and different.
My example:
A good listener
Scrapbooking
Has a twin sister
Likes Van Gogh paintings
Enjoys restoring furniture
Yellow is my favorite color
Activity 2: I would do a sequencing activity with this book. I would type up the main events in the story (Maybe 7 or 8) and have groups of students put the events in order. Examples of main events in the story would be: The duck is born. The duck goes to the barnyard to meet the other animals. The duck runs away and meets wild geese. The duck realizes that he is no longer ugly and finds happiness among the swans.
June 4, 2008
really nothing
April 14, 2015
I love this tale and its message. This illustrator did a marvelous job in bringing it to "life".
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews