Jerry Pinkney's, "The Ugly Duckling" Book Review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. Morrow Junior Books: New York. ISBN 978-0-688-15933-7

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The Ugly Duckling is a retelling of a Danish Literary Fairy Tale. This version stays true to the Hans Christian Andersen’s central theme. The main character, the ugly duckling, experiences discrimination since the day he hatched, the ducks made him feel like he is ugly because of his unconventional looks. His mother nurtures him, and tries to instill positivity into him, and the notion that looks are not important. However, the duckling still faces backlash from all around because of his looks, which prompts him to escape and go in search of acceptance. In his journey, he encounters many who do not understand his plight or purpose. In the end, the ugly duckling experiences an amazing transformation, and his outer looks finally match his benevolent soul.   

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This tale has dramatic qualities that pull on the readers’ heartstrings; the adversity that the ugly duckling experiences represents everyone’s own insecurities, and imparts a valuable lesson on patience, being a virtue. One must have the patience to learn, to understand their own true beauty. Pinkney’s illustrations offer a dramatic effect, with very realistic drawings that captivate the viewers. The pictures display serene backgrounds, passages that are beautiful and detailed. Nature is an element that really shines throughout all the pages, the illustrator captures the spring season in bright greens, winter in icy cold and blue undertones, summer in yellow and bright blues, all the are seasons so eloquently represented. There is a contrast between the homely brown ducks and the magnificent white swans. The last image of the ugly duckling is brilliantly done, it shows the metamorphosis that he experiences, and the image encapsulates the turning from ugly duckling to exquisite swan. The illustrator purposely accented and highlighted the swan in a golden, yellow light to go with the text in the story, “His feathers and his beak are the brightest of all.” The story’s text and illustrations are a delightful combination that work hand in hand, to depict this beloved tale.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book.

ALA Booklist starred review: “Dramatic in content, sensitive in line, and rich with color… Children who are not familiar with the story will be captivated; those who have had the story read to them before will find new things to shiver over.”

Kirkus Reviews starred review: “Pinkney puts his heart into a story he loves, and makes it live again.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This is a great story to teach self-confidence with it and why it is necessary to discover one’s own true beauty. The story’s illustrations captivate the students’ attention, and it would be an excellent read, to be done in circle reading.

*Other stories where the theme is similar:

Sneed, Brad. Thumbelina. ISBN 9780803728127

Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit. ISBN 978-0385077255