The Ugly Duckling

 

The Ugly Duckling has been a great children's book to read. It is longer than most. The book includes great illustration that are bright and relate very well the surrounding text. I believe that the pictures within the book would captivate the attention of the students even more. 

The story begins when the mother ducks eggs hatch. As the eggs hatch one by one the final egg to have hatched was   very large and ugly. It was not like the others. The mother did not know why she was given an offspring with such abnormal characteristics.

The unfortunate ugly duckling was tortured throughout the various surroundings he migrated to. Each surrounding he encountered verbal and physical abuse for his abnormal physical.

It is as though the book has an underlying message that can be translated within everyday life. Especially for students at school and how hurting ones feelings can make a person feel un-wanted and very hurt.

It is fortunate for the ugly duckling who had gone through winter without love and friendship meets a flock of swans who open their arms for him. It is beautiful how the story explains that the ugly duckling is not so ugly; he looks at the shiny water and a reflection appears and realises he is no longer the ugly ducking. The ugly duckling has grown and matured into a beautiful swan. He now can spread his wings and fly; fly away with his new family who accept and love him.

Although this book has a story line aimed at younger students I would recommend students from year three onwards. The text per page are quite large, therefore it could be part of a class reading program where students read/listen and summarise each page as an ongoing task. Focusing of the development of the story or particular groups of words. The particular groups of words may fit in with the weekly spelling list. There are endless directions that this book could be used.