“He was no longer a clumsy, gray bird, ugly and unwanted. He was a swan.”
“He was no longer a clumsy, gray bird, ugly and unwanted. He was a swan.”
A powerful story to use when teaching themes of identity, resilience, and kindness. Students can reflect on times they felt out of place and how acceptance and change can bring hope.
pickThis tale is a fairy tale, since it follows a character‘s journey from hardship to transformation with a happy ending. The “ugly duckling” is mocked and excluded until he grows into a beautiful swan, showing the classic fairy tale themes of struggle, growth, and reward. Jerry Pinkney‘s detailed watercolor illustrations add depth and emotion, helping readers connect with the duckling‘s loneliness and eventual joy.
“Did you ever see anything quite as ugly as that great creature?... He is a disgrace to any brood...“
I can use “The Ugly Duckling“ to teach themes like kindness, acceptance, and self-esteem. Students can discuss how the duckling feels, write about times they felt different, or create artwork showing their “inner swan.” I can also use it to explore story structure, character growth, and sequencing. These activities help students connect emotionally while building reading and writing skills.
pick“The Ugly Duckling“ by Jerry Pinkney is a fairy tale about a duckling who is rejected for being different, only to grow into a beautiful swan. It fits the fairy tale category because it includes transformation, emotional struggle, and a hopeful ending. With detailed illustrations and a timeless message about self-acceptance and inner beauty, the story teaches that true worth is found within, not in outward appearances.
“And when he heard that, the swan knew that it was worth having undergone all the suffering and loneliness he had“
I would use this book to teach both literacy skills and social-emotional learning. The story provides opportunities to discuss characters, setting, and problem/solution while also exploring themes of kindness, belonging, and self-acceptance. Activities such as retelling the story, illustrating the duckling‘s transformation, or writing their own “different but special” stories.
pickThe Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen is a fairy tale.It is a fairy tale because it uses simple language, symbolic characters, and a clear moral lesson.
The animals talk, think, and feel like humans, which is a staple of fairy tale books. A key feature of many fairy tales is magical or symbolic change—in this case, the “ugly duckling” grows into a swan, symbolizing inner potential being revealed.
