The Ugly Duckling - Softcover

Andersen, Hans Christian; Ingpen, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9881512735 ISBN 13: 9789881512734

Publisher: Minedition, 2013

Synopsis

Born different to the others, the Ugly Duckling is ridiculed by his brothers and sisters, rejected by the other ducks and even shunned by his own mother. The sad little bird leaves his home, starting a brave journey where he is jeered at, hunted and struggles to survive alone during the bleak winter - only to discover that the identity he longed for was within him all along. At last, he is welcomed and accepted in his adult forma as a beautiful swan. A timeless story of the need to belong, Hans Christian Anderson's most poignant and best-loved tale is beautifully illustrated by renowned artist Robert Ingpen. This classic children's tale with gorgeous illustrations and easy-to-follow story line is perfect for introducing young children to reading. This paperback book has 40 pages and measures 28.5 x 23.5 x 0.4cm

About this title

Review:

Three-time Caldecott Honor artist and four-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, Jerry Pinkney doesn't disappoint with this lovely, old-fashioned, richly textured watercolour adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling. The mother duck knew from the very beginning that one of her babies would be different from the rest ... the sixth egg was large and oddly shaped. When it finally hatches that summer, she thinks the "monstrous big duckling" must be a turkey chick! Other ducks are appalled by the ugly duckling, and he is chased, pecked and kicked aside. When he can't stand it anymore, he runs away, eventually taking refuge in the warm cottage of an old woman, a cat and a hen. Missing the delicious feeling of the water too much to stay, however, he heads out again into the wide, increasingly cold autumn world.

One day, he heard a sound of whirring wings, and up in the air he saw a flock of birds flying high. They were as bright as the snow that had fallen during the night, and their long necks were stretched southward. Oh, if only he could go with them! But what sort of companion could he be to those beautiful beings?"

At last, after a hard, cold winter--and plenty of the kind of adventures no one really wants to have--the duckling sees the same flock of birds he'd seen in the sky so many months ago. He decides he will follow them, somewhat dramatically preferring to be killed by them rather than suffer any more "cold and hunger and cruelty". Much to his surprise, they welcome him! And when he looks for his dull, awkward reflection in the water, he sees a beautiful swan instead. Children who feel ostracised, even for the tiniest of differences, may shed a few sympathetic tears for the ugly duckling. And no doubt, it was Andersen's wish to give them the hope of one day finding their own peaceful place. (Ages 3 to 9) --Karin Snelson

About the Author:

Hans Christian Andersen often referred to in Scandinavia as H. C. Andersen; (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories, called eventyr in Danish, express themes that transcend age and nationality. Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling", "Thumbelina" and many more. His stories have inspired ballets, animated and live-action films and plays.

About this edition

• Publisher: Minedition
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 9881512735
• ISBN 13: 9789881512734
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32