Review of "The Ugly Duckling"

Bibliography: Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN: 0-688-15932-X

Critical Analysis:

Jerry Pinkney's version of The Ugly Duckling was adapted from The Yellow Fairy Book, and leaves out many parts of the original by Hans Christian Andersen. The duckling's "mother" does not have a nosy neighbor that advises that the egg be abandoned, the duckling's "mother" does not tell him she wishes he would go away, and the duckling does not watch as two new friends - ganders - are shot down before his eyes. This retelling is gentler, and was perhaps written with young children in mind. What this version does offer is a duckling that is decides on his own he will not fit in with the duck family he is born into. He then spends a long, cold winter alone, and comes very near death. As the spring returns the ugly duckling in this version, as in the original, finds his flock of swans, and wonder upon wonders, discovers that he, too, is a beautiful swan.

Pinkney's soft-colored watercolors sweep the entire pages with motion. It has always been amazing to me how Pinkney can display such clear emotion on animals faces. In his recent Caldecott acceptance speech he admitted to spending hours alternately looking at pictures of the animals he was drawing, and making expressions in the mirror. The Ugly Duckling shows this work - from the mother ducks surprise and shock that the ugly duckling looks so different, to the ugly ducklings dejection and despair, and ultimately to his delight, the pictures can evoke strong emotion from the reader.

This popular tale helps children deal with bullying and being an outsider, but it also serves as a warning and a method of teaching compassion. Pinkney's version is all the more powerful due to his advanced artistic skill.

Awards:

* Caldecott Honor Book
* 2000 Notable Children's Books (ALA)
* 2X2 Reading List (TLA)

Review Excerpts:

Kirkus: "As in the original, suffering and loneliness are appeased, and the enduring lessons are reaffirmed: suffering may be necessary for growth and happiness, and loneliness may be overcome. A spirited, artistic adaptation, and a welcome addition to the shelves."
School Library Journal: "An artistic tour de force that is worthy of its graceful fine-feathered subject."
Publishers Weekly: "Whether depicting the subtle patterns and colors of a duck's feathers, the murky twilight of a freshwater pond or the contrast of red berries against dried grasses etched with snow, Pinkney's keenly observed watercolors honor nature in all its splendor. A flawlessly nuanced performance by a consummate craftsman."

Connections:

The Ugly Duckling provides a perfect opportunity for teaching synonyms and antonyms to elementary students. As a group you can come up with synonyms and antonyms for the word "ugly."

Other fairytales written by Hans Christian Andersen include The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Little Match Girl.

The importance of a discussion: No reading of The Ugly Duckling would be complete without a discussion about the effects of bullying.