The Ugly Duckling

by Adrian Mitchell (Retold By), Hans Christian Andersen, Jonathan Heale (illustrator)

The classic Andersen tale is presented in a new poetic version that features woodcut illustrations depicting the unattractive "duckling" as he develops into a beautiful swan.

Genres: Childrens, Classics, Picture Books, Fiction, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1994

About the author

Adrian Mitchell, FRSL, was an English poet, novelist and playwright. A former journalist, he became a noted figure on the British anti-authoritarian Left. For almost half a century he was the foremost poet of the country's anti-Bomb movement. The critic Kenneth Tynan called him the British Mayakovsky.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ugly Duckling, illustrated by Jonathan Heale.

Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy-tale about a cygnet mistakenly hatched by a duck, who is convinced by the cruelty of his peers that he is ugly and abnormal, is retold here in free verse by Adrian Mitchell, and accompanied by gorgeous woodcut illustrations by Jonathan Heale. The effect is quite pleasing, with a narrative that reads well, and artwork that offers an immensely satisfying visual feast, sure to please woodcut lovers in particular.

This may, in fact, by my favorite edition of The Ugly Duckling, which is, admittedly, not saying much, as it has never ranked amongst my favorite, of Andersen's fairy-tales. Still, Heale's illustrations are a real pleasure to behold, with their bold black outlines and lovely watercolor embellishments. I think I may look for more of his work!

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quote I found by Russell Brand (in My Booky Wook)on the topic of this book: "the story 'The Ugly Duckling' ought to be banned as the central character wasn't a duckling or he wouldn't have grown up into a swan. He was a cygnet [young swan]...The whole thing is a corrupt mess". I thought it was hilarious as I've never thought of this before :P Still a great tale though.

[Barbara Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I picked up while at a yard sale. I think I must have read it as a child, as part of a compilation of Hans Christian Andersen stories. This is a nice retelling, with simple wood carving pictures accompanying it.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ugly duckling turns into a beautiful swan.