Author/Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Grade level: PK-3
The Ugly Duckling is a childhood favorite of many children. This story tells of an awkward duckling who wanders from home out into the world. The duckling must learn to survive out in the scary world of hunters and harsh weather. He finally finds a family of swans and decides to join them. Once he is with them, he discovers he has actually been a swan his whole life. This story teaches that true happiness can be achieved through overcoming struggles and finding your place in the world.
The author both wrote and illustrated the book. He used watercolor to bring the pictures and story to life. This work of children's literature's illustration can be considered impressionism because it leaves an impression with its use of lighting. The reader can know that the book will have excellent illustrations due to its receiving a Caldecott Honor. Pinkey created beautiful images that bring the reader into the world of the duckling with colorful and realistic paintings.
Because of the importance of the moral to the story, I would read this to young students ranging from preschool to third grade. This is a very influential and touching book that might mean a lot to a student this age that might not feel like they fit in. This might be the story that sparks an interest in a student and creates a reader.
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