Customer Reviews

The Ugly Duckling

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We all know the classic story of the "ugly" duckling that hung around ducklings that s/he didn't resemble and so thought that s/he was a messed up version of those ducklings. However, the duckling turns out to not be a duckling, but actually, a beautiful swan...different potential and resources in the beginning, but in the end at least as beautiful as the ducks. Great story, great moral.

IN THIS VERSION, the story is set in Africa, so the characters are surrounded by children in varied African-style garb and the other animals that the "duckling" interacts with are animals typical of the African continent. In the end, the "duckling" grows up to be a beautiful, shiny, black swan, differentiating this book from the classic version where the duckling grows into a beautiful, shiny, white swan.

The illustrations of the African children, adults, animals, and landscape are vivid and engrossing. You will spend at least as much time admiring the illustrations as you will the story.

I highly recommend this book to children of all ages!

Loved this book! It is so creative and different from all other Ugly Duckling books I own....it is my very favorite children's story. I own a bookstore near Miami, FLA and keep stocking this rendition. I just want to thank the folks from Penguin/Putnam who accepted this idea....LOVE IT!

I think this is the most creative and different translation of the classic story both visually and in the written word. I am a collector of childrens' books and a teacher of first grade and have been a fan of Ms. Isadora's for many years. I have collected her books and even purchased illustrations of hers which hang in my gallery. I find this book so original that she even surprised me. I will add this book to my Rachel Isadora shelf where I can enjoy it for many years to come. If your buyers would like a genuine treat they should look at this one!