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The Ugly Duckling
Once upon a time, there was a maligned misfit who grew into the most glorious creature of them all. Never has such a fairy tale transformation touched more hearts than the one in "The Ugly Duckling," one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most familiar and cherished stories. Now, in the hands of esteemed translator Stephen Mitchell, an iconographic fable regains all th...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
December 26th 2007
by Candlewick Press
(first published 1843)
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I thought this was a nice version of the "Ugly Duckling" story with realistic but arts-y illustrations (the one on the cover is probably the cutest one, though!) A tad wordy at times, but creates a nice nature-focused feel. I've always been kind of on the fence with "The Ugly Duckling" tale, though, so perhaps a few of my lingering qualms prevented me from giving this more stars...
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TRADITIONAL Book:
The story "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen was a story that I would recommend to older elementary readers. The text in this book on each page was rather lengthy. It would be a great story, however, for any teach to read to her students.
This story is about a duckling that was born with five other ducklings, and he looked nothing like the other five. Therefore, he was labeled the "ugly duckling." He was teased and tormented so he d...more
The story "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen was a story that I would recommend to older elementary readers. The text in this book on each page was rather lengthy. It would be a great story, however, for any teach to read to her students.
This story is about a duckling that was born with five other ducklings, and he looked nothing like the other five. Therefore, he was labeled the "ugly duckling." He was teased and tormented so he d...more
“The Ugly Duckling” is a classic short story by Hans Christian Andersen. The ugly duckling is constantly shunned by his peers. Even when he flies away and lives in the marsh on his own, he is “so ugly that even a dog doesn’t want to eat” him. Finally, one day, the duckling sees some beautiful swans and is jealous of their beauty. After a long, cold winter the duckling decides to fly to the swans; he doesn’t even care that “they may peck me [him] to death.” However, when the duckling sees hi...more
1. Picture book, Fairy Tale/Traditional Literature
2. This is the traditional story of a duckling that looks very different form his brothers and sisters. The ducking is teased and chased and frozen before realizing that he had grown into a swan.
3. I am always impressed with the illustrations of Jerry Pinkney, they are always so expressive and full of movement. In this book, however, I think a bit more contrast could improve the look of the story a bit. While reading I noticed the co...more
2. This is the traditional story of a duckling that looks very different form his brothers and sisters. The ducking is teased and chased and frozen before realizing that he had grown into a swan.
3. I am always impressed with the illustrations of Jerry Pinkney, they are always so expressive and full of movement. In this book, however, I think a bit more contrast could improve the look of the story a bit. While reading I noticed the co...more
This is the classic story of not judging people by their outside looks. Poor little ugly duckling. He is just not right is he? He does not look like his brothers and sisters. He is gangly and clumsy and SOOOOO ugly. The other ducks are afraid of him so they torment him. But his momma loves him anyway. Even if he is not the same. She loves him. Then one day, months later, the little ugly duckling finds out something. He is not ugly. He is beautiful. Much more beautiful than his brother...more
Hans Christian Anderson's story tells of a swan hatched into a family of ducks, who lives his life trying to fit into a situation where he doesn't belong. When this "ugly duckling" finds himself in the company of swans and realizes that he is really one of them, he understands that all the qualities which caused him to be rejected were actually signs of his true character. This story lends a hope-filled perspective on social difficulties, suggesting that may be seeds of greatness eve...more
Another version of "The Ugly Duckling"? Do we really need that? My view is that this richly illustrated version is a work that carves its own niche. Children, I think, will enjoy this greatly.
Stephen Mitchell has "retold" the story, with what I think of as lush illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book itself is lovely to look at.
The story begins thus: "It was a glorious day in the countryside. Summer had come. . . ." There, a ...more
Stephen Mitchell has "retold" the story, with what I think of as lush illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book itself is lovely to look at.
The story begins thus: "It was a glorious day in the countryside. Summer had come. . . ." There, a ...more
Grades Pre-K-3
This classic transformation fairy tale is illustrated with soft lines and soothing colors. The pictures supplement the story instead of telling it; it is not trying to compete with TV in telling the age-old tale of the abused duckling who was actually a swan. The story contains traditional fairy tale elements and pacing and is a good introduction to the genre even for older children.
For very young children, the temporary sadness they feel at the bird's pligh...more
This classic transformation fairy tale is illustrated with soft lines and soothing colors. The pictures supplement the story instead of telling it; it is not trying to compete with TV in telling the age-old tale of the abused duckling who was actually a swan. The story contains traditional fairy tale elements and pacing and is a good introduction to the genre even for older children.
For very young children, the temporary sadness they feel at the bird's pligh...more
The Ugly Duckling
3 out of 5 stars
Hans Christian Andersen does not have any information in the book about where he got the idea for the story. The text was framed in a thick, black border. Illustrations were colorful and could be found in full-page form in mixed in on the page with the text. The illustrations seemed to be done with paints, and they appear to be a series of dots put together to form the illustrations. Each illustration has some sort of border around it. Th...more
3 out of 5 stars
Hans Christian Andersen does not have any information in the book about where he got the idea for the story. The text was framed in a thick, black border. Illustrations were colorful and could be found in full-page form in mixed in on the page with the text. The illustrations seemed to be done with paints, and they appear to be a series of dots put together to form the illustrations. Each illustration has some sort of border around it. Th...more
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fairy-Tale Lovers / Jerry Pinkney Fans
The Ugly Duckling, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.
This lovely edition of Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy-tale, The Ugly Duckling, was selected as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2000 - one of five Jerry Pinkney titles to be so distinguished over the years - and is no doubt the best suited, of those versions of this story that I have read, for very young children. With a text based on the Andrew Lang version, found in The Yellow Fairy Book, it is a few steps removed from the original...more
This lovely edition of Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy-tale, The Ugly Duckling, was selected as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2000 - one of five Jerry Pinkney titles to be so distinguished over the years - and is no doubt the best suited, of those versions of this story that I have read, for very young children. With a text based on the Andrew Lang version, found in The Yellow Fairy Book, it is a few steps removed from the original...more
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fairy-Tale Lovers / Robert Ingpen Fans
The Ugly Duckling, illustrated by Robert Ingpen.
Once described by Hans Christian Andersen as a work of "autobiography," The Ugly Duckling is one of those literary fairy-tales that has so thoroughly entered the folk idiom that it feels like the genuine article. The phrase "ugly duckling" itself - like that of "sour grapes," from Aesop's The Fox and the Grapes - has entered colloquial speech, often used as short-hand for the idea of the late bloomer: a tes...more
Once described by Hans Christian Andersen as a work of "autobiography," The Ugly Duckling is one of those literary fairy-tales that has so thoroughly entered the folk idiom that it feels like the genuine article. The phrase "ugly duckling" itself - like that of "sour grapes," from Aesop's The Fox and the Grapes - has entered colloquial speech, often used as short-hand for the idea of the late bloomer: a tes...more
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fairy-Tale Lovers / Thomas Locker Fans
The Ugly Duckling, illustrated by Thomas Locker.
Originally published in 1843, as part of Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Første Samling. (New Fairy Tales, First Book, First Collection),The Ugly Duckling was an almost immediate success, and has remained one of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular tales. The story of a cygnet who finds himself accidentally part of a family of ducks, experiencing persecution and ridicule as the result of his distinctive appearance, it paints a sympathetic p...more
Originally published in 1843, as part of Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Første Samling. (New Fairy Tales, First Book, First Collection),The Ugly Duckling was an almost immediate success, and has remained one of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular tales. The story of a cygnet who finds himself accidentally part of a family of ducks, experiencing persecution and ridicule as the result of his distinctive appearance, it paints a sympathetic p...more
I like this story, I think it says many important things in a way that little kids and adults can understand. I am a big fan of stories with morals, I think its a great way to teach kids.
I always feel so bad for the horrible way the duckling was treated, it just seems to be such a sad way to start off life. I know that in the end its all worth it and the hard times made the duckling a better swan, but it still seems so harsh. Then again, life is harsh sometimes. A lot of lesson...more
I always feel so bad for the horrible way the duckling was treated, it just seems to be such a sad way to start off life. I know that in the end its all worth it and the hard times made the duckling a better swan, but it still seems so harsh. Then again, life is harsh sometimes. A lot of lesson...more
This book was a story of hope for me - I was the ugly duckling when I read this book - I see it as a story about rejection [fear (bondage) expectation] and belonging [love (freedom) becoming] - and the war to stay faithful to ones-self despite the many callings to abandon faith and hope - The swan finally finds his/her true identity and place after a life of opression and struggles with the threat of death - a story of home coming, hope, faith, courage and truth - a favourite ; )
I watch this store when I was child.The story "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen, and I love story from Hans Christian Andersen. This store is very famous in all over the world. It talks about The mother duck laid 6 eggs, one of which was odd shaped. The odd shaped egg turned out to be the “ugly duckling.” The ugly duckling was made fun of and chased for being ugly from other ducks and his brothers and sisters so the duckling left only to find he was initially shunned and l...more
This is a good book to use to address social issues such as bullying and the need for feeling accepted. The mother duck laid 6 eggs, one of which was odd shaped. The odd shaped egg turned out to be the “ugly duckling.” The ugly duckling was made fun of and chased for being ugly from other ducks and his brothers and sisters so the duckling left only to find he was initially shunned and left this area to go for a swim. Finally humans accepted him and wanted to play with him but he was so accust...more
It all started days ago when I read the free ebook on my kindle that I found. Then we read it again in Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales. One was long winded and harsh, the other was much shorter and plain (but with great images!). Then I discovered there was a Jerry Pinkney version and i just knew I had to have it. I first discovered the artistry of Jerry Pinkney in The Lion and the Mouse. Practically wordless, the story was amazingly portrayed in vivid detail.
I was not disappointed he...more
I was not disappointed he...more
Traditional
The ugly Duckling by Hans Anderson is a very detailed book that teaches kids that it is ok to be different. This story is about a bird who hatches and he does not look like the rest of the birds that hatched. He is picked on and made fun of by other birds because he looks so different. He spends time going from one person or animal to the next and when he grows up, he develops into a beautiful swan! He is so happy that he finally found a group of bird to fit in. This book's i...more
The ugly Duckling by Hans Anderson is a very detailed book that teaches kids that it is ok to be different. This story is about a bird who hatches and he does not look like the rest of the birds that hatched. He is picked on and made fun of by other birds because he looks so different. He spends time going from one person or animal to the next and when he grows up, he develops into a beautiful swan! He is so happy that he finally found a group of bird to fit in. This book's i...more
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Millions of people know this story.
I loved it as a child.
I cried about the duckling who was casted away and had to find a new home and family. In finding new hopes and hopes that died. And when the Duckling saw its reflextion in the water he thought he was ugly and that that was the reason why no other bird family accepted him. Untill...
A must read for children.
I loved it as a child.
I cried about the duckling who was casted away and had to find a new home and family. In finding new hopes and hopes that died. And when the Duckling saw its reflextion in the water he thought he was ugly and that that was the reason why no other bird family accepted him. Untill...
A must read for children.
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fairy-Tale Lovers / Anyone Who Appreciates Beautiful Woodcuts
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...more
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...more
The story The Ugly Ducking is about a baby duck that is born different then his brother and sisters. He tries to find where he belongs in life but at the ends he ends up looking the others.
This would be a great story to read to your students around Easter time, because it is about ducks. You could have the students fill out a KWL chart. It is found to see what students think is going to happen before your read the story. Students could complete it and then the class could have a dis...more
This would be a great story to read to your students around Easter time, because it is about ducks. You could have the students fill out a KWL chart. It is found to see what students think is going to happen before your read the story. Students could complete it and then the class could have a dis...more
"The Ugly Duckling" is an old, very well known fairy tale about a young duckling who gets picked on and made fun of because of his "ugly" gray feathers. The poor lonely duck cannot make any friends because they are all focused on teh way he looks, but in the end, the ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan.
This classic story by Hans Christian Anderson is one of my favorite becuase it teaches a much needed lesson about appearance. In our society today, many peo...more
This classic story by Hans Christian Anderson is one of my favorite becuase it teaches a much needed lesson about appearance. In our society today, many peo...more
I chose this book for my "Traditional Literature." We all know the tale of the ugly ducking, the ducking is hatched and comes out to a world where it is not accepted right away. The ducking notices it is different, and since its family makes fun of it, the ducking chooses to leave and find its own place. The ducking goes through multiple adventures trying to find its own place and in the end realizes its a beautiful individual creature, the swan.
This is a great book to rea...more
This is a great book to rea...more
The illustrations of this book are realism. The main characters in each page are very detailed, such as the feathers of the mother duck and her ducklings; the background is bright and depicts their living environment. The ugly duckling experiences various difficulties and finally turns into a swan which is unbelievable to the mother duck and others who laughed at the ugly duckling. The major theme of this book is that the fate of ugly duckling is not predictable; his key to the success is that h...more
This is the traditional story of a duckling that doesn't look his brothers and sisters and is teased and tormented. This is a great story that is something to remember when it comes to bullying or being picked on and feeling like you don't belong. It's a very classic story that teaches to not judge others by the way that they look. The ugly duckling ends up being a beautiful swan and much prettier than the brothers and sisters. The illustrations are beautiful and very realistic. I feel like the ...more
This traditional book is about a ducking who was born a little differently from all the other ducks. This book is a book that I think all children need to hear. I remember listing to this book when I was younger and then learning a lesson about being mean to people the were not excatly alike you. This duckling is picked on and teased by all the other ducks, until the mother explains that being different is not so bad. I really like the illustrations in this book because they are more realistic a...more
Grades 1-4 (Read aloud).
The title page states that this version was translated by R.P. Keigwin and used by permission of Flensted Publishers. Adrienne Adams, although may have been appealing when this book was published in 1965 are muted and rather dull, but the realism she portrays is surprisingly pleasant. Anderson’s story of the ugly duckling is long and detailed of the duckling’s journey compared to some of the shorter retellings of this tale. The story of the young duckling’s l...more
The title page states that this version was translated by R.P. Keigwin and used by permission of Flensted Publishers. Adrienne Adams, although may have been appealing when this book was published in 1965 are muted and rather dull, but the realism she portrays is surprisingly pleasant. Anderson’s story of the ugly duckling is long and detailed of the duckling’s journey compared to some of the shorter retellings of this tale. The story of the young duckling’s l...more
As soon as I opened the first page of this book, the illustrations caught my attention. Before even beginning to read the text, I did a picture walk through the book to look at all of the beautiful illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. Each page is filled with detailed pictures that really come to life through the different colors used. I enjoyed this book a lot. This is a good book to use with children because the pictures are engaging. Since the text uses wording that may be confusing to some childr...more
The teen heir to the throne of a tiny, mountainous country is forced to grow up both physically and emotionally after the king and her parents are mysteriously killed. She resents the training her aunt, the Queen Regent, orders and rebels at every step. Her obstinate refusal to cooperate results in her being shut in a castle tower where she discovers a secret, enchanted room that starts her on the road to learning magic and realizing what it takes to be a true queen.
I really liked th...more
I really liked th...more
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Hans Christian Andersen, or simply H.C. Andersen, was a Danish author and poet, most famous for his fairy tales. Among his best-known stories "The Snow Queen", "The Little Mermaid", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Ugly Duckling". During Andersen's lifetime he was feted by royalty and acclaimed as having brought joy to children across Europe. His fairy t...more
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