The Ugly Duckling

Author/Illustrator: Hans Christian Andersen/Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Awards: 2000 Caldecott Medal

Grade Level: PK-2

A mother duck had just had 5 eggs hatch and was waiting patiently for the last oddly shaped egg to hatch. When it finally did, she noticed he looked different from the rest. Because of his appearance, he was made fun of by his siblings and by the families that would pass by. He traveled in great depression thinking he was an ugly duck. One day, he decided to swim with a beautiful flock of swans out in the water. When he bowed his head down, he noticed in his reflection that he was a beautiful swan just like the rest of them and finally felt at peace with himself.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students to never give up on their hopes and dreams. I would probably use this for either first or second grade since they starting to understand other peoples' feelings and will be able to feel empathy towards the ugly duckling. This book would be great to use to teach students the importance of individuality as well as teaching them to find their place in society.