“He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him” (From the original ugly duckling by Habs Christian Andersen)
The Ugly Duckling | 
“He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him” (From the original ugly duckling by Habs Christian Andersen)
In The Ugly Duckling, Sarah Delmege beautifully retells Hans Christian Andersen's classic story of transformation and self-acceptance. Through vibrant illustrations, young readers follow the journey of an outcast duckling who discovers the true meaning of beauty. This heartwarming tale encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and find their place in the world, making it a perfect read-aloud for all ages.
pickThe Ugly Duckling by Sarah Delmege features vibrant illustrations that bring the classic tale to life. Its core message emphasizes self-acceptance and inner beauty through the transformation of the ugly duckling into a swan. In the classroom, it can inspire discussions on kindness, diversity, and individuality, alongside creative art projects and writing prompts, making it a valuable educational resource.
“Just then, a family of six young ducks sword led the riverbank with their mother. “Look at that beautiful swan!” they quacked.”
so-soThis story is about someone (a swan, in this case) in search of their own identity. I remember reading this as a kid. As I read it now, I wonder if there are some issues to be discussed with this story. Students who already lack physical self-esteem may see the story as someone being treated poorly for being ‘too ugly‘, and then treated well once it‘s seen as beautiful enough. The theme could be taken both positively and negatively, to me.
The swan is put down and wonders why it doesn‘t fit in. It sees its reflection and realizes its a beautiful swan.
pickThe swan was born into a family of ducks, the other animals believe it is “ugly” and doesn‘t belong. This would be great to read to young children showing that their differences matter.
-traditional lit
