Bibliographic Information: Stephen Mitchell, “The Ugly Duckling”, Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, Published by Candlewick Press, ©2008, 37 pages
Genre: Folktales, myth, fables and legends
Summary: The Ugly Duckling was born on a farm to a duck. Everyone called him ugly and made fun of him. His mother didn’t even want him anymore so he flew away to a marsh. The ducks called him ugly but didn’t care that he was there. Some geese landed in the marsh and said he could go with them but gun shots rang out and they were killed. He hides until it was all over but then it starts to storm and he finds himself walking to a cottage where an old lady, a cat and a hen lived. He stays there for a while until he starts missing the water. He goes back out to a pond where he first sees a swan for the first time. He thinks they are so amazing. Winter comes and he freezes in the pond but someone digs him out and takes him home. He ends up back outside after a big mess. Spring comes and the swans return to the pond. He swims over to them just so he can be close to their beauty. Then he hears that he is the most beautiful swan there and finds where he finally belongs.
Tags: Beauty, Ducks, Hardship
My Response: I found this story to be very sad at first and I felt very bad about the duckling’s hardship. I thought that the duck who hacked him would at least stand up for him but she didn’t. Then when I seen him in the ice it made me want to go scoop him up and bring him inside.