The Ugly Duckling (Illustrated) [Kindle Edition]

Hans Christian Andersen (Author), Ripple Digital Publishing (Illustrator)

Book Description

A classic story by Hans Christian Andersen presented with modern illustrations. The story of how a little bird endures the abuses and miseries as he was growing up not realizing he would mature into a beautiful swan. It’s a great tale about personal transformation for the better.

"It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye."
– Antonie De Sainte Exupery

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5–Bell's able and elegant translation of this classic tale omits nothing: the ugly duckling, rejected by his siblings and mother, runs away. He journeys to the marshes where he meets wild ducks and geese and watches as they are slaughtered by hunters, is told by a cat and hen that he does not possess the right talents, and is later rescued by a farmer from freezing fast in a pond. Eventually, he realizes his true identity and is happy with himself but modest because "a good heart never shows pride." Ingpen's bold impressionistic paintings fill the spreads and render the birds with pleasing angularity. However, the text often seems crowded on the page and is obscured in some instances by the dark, earth-toned palette. This edition suits libraries wishing to have the whole story, but young children will be more readily drawn into and less frightened by versions illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (HarperCollins, 1999) or Lorinda B. Cauley (Harcourt, 1979).–Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Trying to appeal to a preschool audience, most picture-book versions of "The Ugly Duckling" take out much of the misery and thus lessen the impact of the happy ending, when the "ugly duckling," rejected by the barnyard fowls, is accepted by his fellow swans. In this edition, Bell's graceful translation tells the whole story of the hero's misfortune, rejection, and misery, creating a feeling of darkness true to Andersen's text and making the ending more wonderful in comparison with the suffering that has gone before. Ingpen's beautifully composed paintings, which appear to incorporate elements of collage, are rather dark. Though the placement of text over patterned backgrounds may occasionally make reading hard for children, this is probably a book for adults to read aloud. A handsome edition that respects its source. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• File Size: 509 KB
• Print Length: 40 pages
• Publisher: Ripple Digital Publishing; 1 edition (March 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004SUP1XO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Children's Fiction > Animals
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Animals > Ducks & Other Waterfowl

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ugly Duckling January 2, 2012

By David Roderick

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

With my grandchildren in mind, I recently searched for free Kindle books with illustrations that would be appropriate for different young age groups. Wow! In no time at all I found the story by Hans Christian Anderson of "The Ugly Duckling". What a treasure! And...the free Kindle Fire edition is outstanding. Well formatted with many colorful illustrations. I loved the story (even at 75 years old) and knew that it would be perfect for our grandchildren in the range of 5-8 years old. Or, maybe until 100. I read it once again and marvelled at its universality. This is a winner and I give it five stars!!! Outstanding job Graphic Spin and Amazon!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a children's book though the illustrations are childlike November 16, 2012

By PBacon

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ugh, I was disappointed when I selected this book for my kindle. The illustrations modern as they are referenced are positively childlike while the writing is for a much older child. I would have liked the illustrations to truly match the writing. Disappointing.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not very often I HATE a kids book December 13, 2012

By Ionia Martin TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really did not think this book was appropriate for kids. Looking at the cover and reading the description, I expected this book to follow the path of the original. I thought the pictures would be updated but didn't expect that much change anywhere else in the story. This book is filled with a mega-dose of reality when it comes to how cruel others can be. If I read this entire thing to my kids they would have died of boredom or possibly run from the room in tears. I would love to say there was something I liked about this book, but that just wouldn't be true. I can't recommend this book.