The Ugly Duckling

by Bernadette Watts (Adaptor, Illustrator), Hans Christian Andersen

The Hans Christian Andersen story about staying true to oneself, illustrated by the legendary European artist Bernadette Watts.

The ugly duckling, outcast and misunderstood by the other animals, goes on a journey to discover a place where he will fit in… only to become triumphant when he emerges as the most beautiful swan of all, always destined to stand out. Bernadette Watts's detailed illustrations chronicle the bittersweet story with charm and poignancy.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Classics, Folklore

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It doesn't matter if you're born in a duck yard, so long as you are hatched from a swan's egg!”
― Hans Christian Andersen, The Ugly Duckling


classic from the past. One of the many books that inspired me to read. Loved it. This is part of my much loved books from childhood.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the abridged edition adapted and illustrated by Bernadette Watts.

[qershore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of The Ugly Duckling is a story that I grew up reading and that I believe every child should read. Hans Christian Andersen retells this traditional story almost identically to how I remember it. The story begins with an excited mother duck watching her babies hatch, but much to her dismay the last egg to hatch is a duck who she thinks is ugly. The ugly duckling is ridiculed by its other siblings until it is forced to run away and face the world on its own. The duckling searches for a place where it will fit in as it travels through the marsh, to a cottage, a lake, and struggles through the winter. At each place the ugly duck travels, it is rejected and laughed at. When the duckling has lost its hope, he comes across a group of swans and finally sees its own beautiful reflection.
Just as a typical traditional story should, this story has a very clear lesson at the end. The lesson in this story is that there will always be a place for you to fit in and to never give up on yourself. As the ugly duckling was repeatedly called ugly and rejected, he never lost hope in himself and he was able to find where he fit in as the most beautiful bird. The plot and the moral of the story is also portrayed through the detailed pictures done by Bernadette Watts. The pictures are so incredibly realistic looking and filled vibrant colors. When the ugly duckling sees the swans for the first time, the backdrop is a beautiful sunset, foreshadowing that he will soon be as beautiful as them. However, when the ugly duckling is struggling through the long, harsh winter, the picture is completely white with no vibrant colors. This really depicts the sad and lonely emotions the duck is feeling because the color is monotone and gloomy. In the end when the duckling finally finds the other swans, the pictures are filled with bright yellows, blues, pinks, greens, and other vibrant colors. It’s as if the duckling’s happy emotions are spewing on to the paper in the form of bright colors. Both Watts and Andersen collaborate to create an amazing story with a lesson that is so valuable for every child to learn.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Traditional Literature

2. Summary: This is the story of an ugly duckling. A group of baby ducks are born and there is one that doesn’t seem to fit in. He searches for an answer as to why he looks different and doesn’t fit in with his other brother’s and sister’s.

3. Critique:
a.) This is such a great retelling of the classic fairytale, “The Ugly Duckling.” The accuracy of this story is spot on. This story is almost identical to the original Ugly Duckling story with a few adaptations.

b.) The illustrations in this story are adorable. I love animals and the illustrations in this story are so whimsical. It helps to make the story enjoyable and it pulls the reader in. The story is almost identical to the classic story my mom used to read to me.

c.) I love the illustrations that help to retell the story of the Ugly Duckling. The little ducks are so cute in this story. I always thought it should be obvious that he isn’t actually a duck considering he wasn’t yellow like his other siblings and the egg he was in was bigger than all of the others. I love how he turns into a beautiful swan and doesn’t realize it until he sees other swans and his reflection and realizes he does belong.

4. Curriculum Connection: This would be a great story for a second grader to read or can be enjoyed by any grade if read aloud to the class. This could be a great book to connect literature and science together in one lesson. This is a great book to use with a science lesson about seasons and hibernation. You can discuss what happens to birds when the winter comes and what kind of food they eat, what their habitat is, etc.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ugly Duckling is a book written by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Bernadette Watts. It tells the story of a duckling who didn't look like others and was picked on until he ran away from home. He ended up growing up to be a beautiful swan and finding a place where he belonged. I really liked this story because it taught the message that everyone has a place in this world where they belong and will feel welcome. I think this would be a great book to read aloud to students because the illustrations are very captivating, colorful, and detailed. My favorite illustration is when the ugly duckling sees swans flying on an autumn night, because the sunset is created with bright oranges and yellows and by seeing the swans and thinking they are beautiful foreshadows the end of the story. The story is a little long for young students to read independently. This would be a great story to have students make predictions throughout. I really enjoyed this story and would read it to my future students.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A duckling that looks unlike any other is hatched and scorned by his
mother. Cast aside, he makes his way into the world and is met only with more disdain by the other creatures of the pond. Once grown up, the ugly duckling finally finds happiness and acceptance when he discovers that he’s become a beautiful swan. This story about
acceptance and finding one’s way in life is touching. Double-paged spreads of soft blues,yellows, and greens depict the pastoral setting of this tale about a swan hatched from a mother duck. I would recommend this story for bibliotherapy for a reader suffering from bullying or a low self-esteem. In the end, the ugly duckling simply hadn’t found his place in the world yet, and this is something many children can relate to. He was beautiful all along. I would also recommend this for a storytime followed by a discussion about acceptance. I like the moral of this story.

[Mandy Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great example of self esteem and acceptance. This book shows children how a child could feel left out based on looks, disabilites or even a economical status. I think this book did a great job is showing exactly what someone could go through and feel.

Activity:
After reading the book, I would have the children make a card to someone special or that they thought would like to feel better about something in their life. Once this activity was completed we would share the cards and ask why and who they sent the card to. Then we would discuss the importance of acceptance and making everyone feel good

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite stories as a child. It is a classic that can be used for generations to come. A poor little duckling hatches last, and does not look like the rest of the family. He is told by everyone how ugly he is, and finally runs away to get away from the cruelty of others, but still finds people making fun of him until he finally grows up and when he looks in the water he can not believe what he sees, he is the most beautiful swan of all, and all of the other swans believe that as well. He has finally found acceptance, and happiness. The illustrations in this version are beautifully done. A must have for any classroom library.

[Mikailah Shackleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I have read the ugly duckling many times as a child, but this one had beautiful illistrations that really related to the story. This book has a great moral to it that i completely forgot that it had. It sends a good message to not judge people by the way they look but rather how they are as a person. In this story, an "ugly duck" is made fun of constantly and no one likes him. Then one day he transforms into a beautiful swan. My siblings really enjoy this book as well. I would recommend it to anyone!

[Emily Alig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ugly Duckling is a classic Fairy Tale that tells of a small bird that does not fit in . He is teased for his looks, and sticks out compared to his siblings and mother. As the story goes on it tells of his struggle and how he feels when the others make fun of him for who he is on the outside. This is a great story to read to your children because it would make a good lesson to teach them how to treat others and how it would make them feel. The end of the story is the best, and shows that there can be a happy ending after all!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about finding the beauty within and in things that are less than typical. I love reading feel good books like this one with my daughter. I think this is an important story to read with toddlers and young children because it helps them to see that those that don't look like everyone else can be just as beautiful on the inside.

[Lyra Goga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ugly Duckling is a book about a duck that is teased because of his difference. One day he transforms into a beautiful swan. Even though I read this book more than ten years ago I remember well how I felt reading it. I was so young and touched by the story. I felt so sorry for the "ugly duck" that I cried about it.
It has a powerful message and every kid should read it.

[Kelly Powell]

This story is a sad one, but it has a good lesson within. I felt that the illustrations helped me feel and empathize with the ugly duckling. I would love to read this to my class to show how words can be unkind and hurt. I could also teach and explain that things aren’t always as they appear just like the duckling was really a swan.

[Brenna Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child as loved how it appeared in "Lilo and Stitch". It's a great reminder to not judge people by their looks and for children to learn this lesson early in life is beneficial. Those who are judged on their looks could be the kindest, bravest and an amazing person to have as a friend.

[Kevin Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arguably Andersen's most famous and oft retold story. The author is quoted as saying the titular protagonist was largely based on himself. It is interesting to note that Andersen was rumored to be the illegitimate son of a Danish royal, and the Ugly Duckling grows into greatness by birthright rather than any accomplishment. Details, details!

[Edma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has been one of my favourites as a child because, the animals would represent humans and how racism or other apparental distinguish would lead to discrimination. But this tale also proves that we all belong somewhere, we are part of a part of the world. We are not alone!

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this version of this book, even though there are a lot out there. I like the illustrations in this one. I think it's a great message about leaning to accept yourself for who you are and what you look like and to be yourself, because everyone is special in their own way.

[Naomi Sapp]

This was a long book but had a few good things you could use it for. It could show that if you are bullied that it is okay that you are different but people should not treat you bad. Or it can be used to discuss how sometimes you do not know where you will end up in life and things all work out

[Shayd Elmore]

With this book I would incorporate social/cultural aspects. It is a great way for students to realize that everyone is different, and just because they are different doesn't mean that they should be treated differently.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
illustrated nicely by Bernadette Watts
not my favorite retelling
leaves out the scene with geese getting shot

[Jimmy Long]

We've read it a few times. Not so into the classics

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this version of the famous story are lovely, making it very easy for your. readers to sympathize with the story.

[Diane Cassell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same classic story of the ugly duckling. The graphics are great as they are realistic to real life animals.