The Ugly Duckling

1. Bibliography 

Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688159338

2. Plot Summary

A mother duck lays six eggs. Five are white eggs and one is larger than the rest and oddly shaped. Once all of the eggs hatch, a dull-colored duckling with a long neck falls out of the large egg. For a year, he is ostracized by the other creatures around him and spends the cold winter alone. When the spring blooms once again, he realizes that he is now a beautiful swan and receives love from the local children for having the shiniest beak and feathers.

3. Critical Analysis

This rendition of The Ugly Duckling is beautifully retold. The story of evolution of the duckling is accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations that juxtapose the ugliness of the duckling and the dark feelings of loneliness and being ostracized. The slightly muted colors of winter and the bright colors of spring showcase the duckling's journey from being the odd one out to finding the community that he belongs to. 

4. Review Excerpts

From Publisher's Weekly: "...exquisitely detailed watercolors provide a handsome foil to his graceful adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic."
From Kirkus Reviews: "An artistic tour de force that is worthy of its graceful fine-feathered subject."
Caledcott Medal winner

5. Connections

Read other Jerry Pinkney adaptations such as:

• The Tortoise and the Hare. ISBN 0316183563
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff. ISBN 0316341578

Can compare and contrast other retellings of The Ugly Duckling.

Use in an art class as an example for a watercoloring lesson.