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9th out of 66 books
—
33 voters
The Sissy Duckling
The Barnes & Noble Review
Let's just say that Elmer's not your run-of-the-mill duck. He likes to decorate cookies, enjoys building sand castles instead of forts, and would rather put on puppet shows than play sports. Being different is fine for sweet Elmer -- he's as happy as a duck in water doing everything he loves.
Let's just say that Elmer's not your run-of-the-mill duck. He likes to decorate cookies, enjoys building sand castles instead of forts, and would rather put on puppet shows than play sports. Being different is fine for sweet Elmer -- he's as happy as a duck in water doing everything he loves.
So what's the problem? Papa Duck and the other guys
Paperback, 40 pages
Published
May 17th 2005
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
(first published May 1st 2002)
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25th out of 66 books
—
32 voters
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I was hesitant to mark this book as glbt, since there is nothing inherently gay about the duckling in this book. Lots of boys don't like to play sports and prefer creating things to fist fighting with other boys. There's nothing about those preferences that equals gay. Also, there's no mention at all of Elmer liking other boy ducks, so again, nothing actually gay about him. Yet the author is a known gay-rights activist and clearly had a purpose with this book, so it seems silly to NOT mark it as...more
Too complicated for story time, but a really sweet book about a duckling named Elmer who doesn't like to do normal boy things. He does his own thing, and in the end, it works out just fine for him. I guess it's been challenged as a book that promotes homosexuality and nonstandard gender roles, and it could certainly be taken that way(which doesn't bother me in the slightest). But really, it's appeal is that it's a book about being different, and being different can be a good thing!
This story is an excellent tale about accepting one's self and others for what they are, which is perhaps an especially relevant topic to discuss with children due to the recent increase in bullying. Elmer is not like the other boy ducks. He likes to bake, paint, cook, and be creative. He does not like sports, and one day skips away from a baseball game. The other ducks call him a sissy, which infuriates his father who says some hateful things that cause Elmer to run away. However, when his fath...more
kept this book ever-on-hand when i taught elementary and middle school. talked to a former student the other day who remembered my taking him to our book nook and reading it aloud after a particularly tough recess-- sigh. an indispensable little story for the teacher's toolkit.
Aug 18, 2012
Dolly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
This is an interesting story about being different and being accepted for those differences. The tale is an fit for young boys who are ostracized for not being manly or macho enough, but our girls empathized with Elmer, too. I think most children at one time or another feel different from everyone else and it helps to show that we can embrace our differences and be proud of our talents, even if it sets us apart from the crowd.
The narrative is entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and...more
The narrative is entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and...more
Genre: Traditional
Copyright: 2002
Elmer the duck isn't exactly like the other boy ducks in the pond. In fact, he's nothing like the other boy ducks! Elmer enjoys doing the things he does and refuses to change, even when the others call him a sissy. Then something unexpected happens, and Elmer must make a decision that will affect him for the rest of his life.
"The Sissy Duckling" is a story that is full of great morals! It touches on being unique and not falling into specific "gender roles". It al...more
Copyright: 2002
Elmer the duck isn't exactly like the other boy ducks in the pond. In fact, he's nothing like the other boy ducks! Elmer enjoys doing the things he does and refuses to change, even when the others call him a sissy. Then something unexpected happens, and Elmer must make a decision that will affect him for the rest of his life.
"The Sissy Duckling" is a story that is full of great morals! It touches on being unique and not falling into specific "gender roles". It al...more
Oct 10, 2012
Kristin Lee
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
bullying,
individualism,
bravery,
adventure,
animals,
children,
environmental,
family,
food,
friendship,
games,
hunting,
ius-library-book,
picture-book,
school,
sports
The illustrations in this book are wonderful. This is a book that I feel should be read to children because there are great lessons to be learned from the book that occur in real life. Unfortunately there are children that chose to become bullies instead of friends. The book teaches children to be true to who they are as a person. Everyone is special and unique in their own way. When Elmer started to get bullied by Drake and the other ducklings, he felt very alone. Then when he heard his father...more
This book is for: PreK-5
Reflection:
I remember reading this book in class and thinking, "Wow! This is kind of a sensitive topic..."
I am glad this book exist. I know there are some children that feel "different" but are quite content with who they are and being themselves. This book is a great book to have on the shelf for students to read and think about not only if they can relate to the book but if they know someone that they can relate the book. This book gives them a different perspective th...more
Reflection:
I remember reading this book in class and thinking, "Wow! This is kind of a sensitive topic..."
I am glad this book exist. I know there are some children that feel "different" but are quite content with who they are and being themselves. This book is a great book to have on the shelf for students to read and think about not only if they can relate to the book but if they know someone that they can relate the book. This book gives them a different perspective th...more
This book is a great book for children. It offers many great morals and aspects. It goes to show children that they can be themselves and they shouldn't change to fit in with other people. There was humor and excitement in the feel good story of Elmer. this book even gave me the chills when he was saving his father, who even called him a sissy. Bullying is also an aspect in this story. It shows that bullies aren't wanted and that they always are wrong or get into trouble in the end. I give this...more
CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.
APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.
Review/Rating:
5 out of 5
Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
Elmer is different from other male ducklings — he likes to cook, clean, paint pictures, and other non-masculine things. And because of this, everyone calls him a sissy, even his own father. But will they learn that Elmer is just fine the way he is?
This book is on th...more
APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.
APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.
Review/Rating:
5 out of 5
Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
Elmer is different from other male ducklings — he likes to cook, clean, paint pictures, and other non-masculine things. And because of this, everyone calls him a sissy, even his own father. But will they learn that Elmer is just fine the way he is?
This book is on th...more
This is about a duckling that wasn't like any of the others. He wasn't good at sports like all the other ducks and they called him a sissy. He ran away from home and ended up saving his father after he was shot by a hunter. He made a home and they survived the winter together. Everyone looked up to him after that. This is a good book to let students know that not everybody is the same and not everyone is good at sports. They will always find something they are good at.
While I believe this book was created with the best of intentions I didn't like it at all. The titular character has to EARN his fathers love and approval by rescuing him instead of the father coming to realise that there was never anything wrong with his son in the first place.
Also, I find the teasing sequences quite harsh. If this is being shown to a child who is suffering bullying because of unconventional gender display it could be quite upsetting.
Also, I find the teasing sequences quite harsh. If this is being shown to a child who is suffering bullying because of unconventional gender display it could be quite upsetting.
Elmer is not like all the other ducks. He likes to paint pictures, play make-beleive, and decorating cookies. All the other boy duckling played football, baseball, and boxed. All the other boys thought Elmer was a sissy, even his father.Elmer proves in the end that the things that make him different are what makes him special and shouldn't be something he is ashamed of.
May 20, 2010
Beth
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s,
mixed-up-fairy-tales
Elmer was happy cooking, painting, and playing make believe. He usually played alone and his father was not happy about this. His father was also unhappy with his lack of baseball skills. Elmer packs his bad and goes away. The hunters injure his father. He makes a tidy home and nurses his father back to health. It is now accepted that Elmer can be his special and unique self.
This book teaches that its okay for boys to like girly things and vise-versa. This duckling is called a sissy because he likes to bake cakes and put on shows, but when the duckling's father is hurt by a hunter, the duckling is there to save the day and shows his dad that he has something to offer the world.
I would use this book to teach acceptance.
I would use this book to teach acceptance.
Elmer is a happy sissy duckling! This is an encouraging story that everyone can be strong and no assupmtions should be made about other people or animals just becuase they are different from you. Even though Elmer the duck was called names, even by his own father, he ended up being the hero in the end by being himself.
This is a great book! It has a great lesson about how everybody is different. It also teaches that being different is a bad thing. Kids could relate to this very well, and many of the kids probably think like the father duck in this book. It would be a great book for 3-5th graders!
"Elmer arrived at school the next morning to find big bully Drake Duckling blocking the path.
'No sissies allowed in MY school,' Drake squawked.
Elmer faced him down, bill to bill. 'You are just angry because I do things differently. But one day I will amaze you all !'
'No sissies allowed in MY school,' Drake squawked.
Elmer faced him down, bill to bill. 'You are just angry because I do things differently. But one day I will amaze you all !'
view all 5 comments
-very long book
-can be read in the beginning of the school year to encourage students that its ok to be special
-you dont have to be like other people, being yourself is important
-shows that there are different types of people in this world: ex: not al boys play sports
-can be read in the beginning of the school year to encourage students that its ok to be special
-you dont have to be like other people, being yourself is important
-shows that there are different types of people in this world: ex: not al boys play sports
A heartwarming tale of a young duck who acts differently than the other ducks and endures criticism because of his uniqueness. In the end Elmer is celebrated for his differences and courage. This would be a good book to read to spark a discussion about individuality.
pb3: I enjoyed this book very much and feel that this is a book that all children should have read to them. It does very well at showing kids that there is nothing wrong with being different and that just because they feel alone doesn't mean they are. Very good story.
Sweet book about a duckling who isn't like the others and isn't understood by his family. The mother duck provides some excellent inspirational quotes, the vibrant illustrations will entice students to pick it up on their own or listen intently for the read aloud.
Genre: Picture/Fiction
I really enjoyed this book and I think most young girls and boys will enjoy it too. I can see how some students could relate to this book; because as long as there is schools there will be groups of students viewed as outkasts.
I really enjoyed this book and I think most young girls and boys will enjoy it too. I can see how some students could relate to this book; because as long as there is schools there will be groups of students viewed as outkasts.
Cute book with a good story...very Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer actually, except with Elmer's personality instead of a Red Nose. The father went out of bounds, but he came through in the end, so I guess I'll let it slide this time. =?
Creative story about a duckling who was very different but is able to shine in a way no one expected. The book started off funny but ended up being very predictable. It is a good lesson on positive attitudes and acceptance.
This book elaborates on how being different and how it is not an issue for the duckling. This is a good book for confidence of breaking the norm and not afraid of stereotypes.
This is a good book to read to children when your class is having a rough day. It teachers kids I accept one another and not everybody is the same but that is ok.
Harvey Firestein + children's book + gay themes = PERFECTION! One of my all time favorite children's books to read about being different and being okay!
What a cute book! I thought it was great how he believed in himself and didn't let others get him down!
Book about being different and proud to be different. Great story,easy to understand. Must read book.
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Harvey Forbes Fierstein is an American Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor, playwright, and screenwriter.
The gravelly-voiced actor perhaps is known best for the play and film Torch Song Trilogy, which he wrote and starred in. The 1982 Broadway production won him two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play, two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Acto...more
More about Harvey Fierstein...
The gravelly-voiced actor perhaps is known best for the play and film Torch Song Trilogy, which he wrote and starred in. The 1982 Broadway production won him two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play, two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Acto...more
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