The Ugly Duckling

The classic Andersen tale is presented in a new poetic version that features woodcut illustrations depicting the unattractive "duckling" as he develops into a beautiful swan.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Mitchell uses free verse to retell this classic story. His effort is generally successful, in that he distills the essence of the tale without sacrificing Andersen's poetic language. However, the writing is occasionally stiff and awkward. Heale's woodcut illustrations are handsome and elegant in their simplicity. The heavy outlines contrast nicely with the delicate watercolor tints. A thick black border contains both pictures and text, uniting the two. The book design is attractive and appealing, from its rich maroon jacket to its smooth, heavy, cream-colored paper. This is an Ugly Duckling with a difference, best suited to collections large enough to support a variety of versions of the same story.
Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Set in handsome format with dramatic woodcuts enhanced with watercolors in muted hues, a ``retelling'' that frequently echoes the well-regarded Keigwin translation. The original's principal events and characters are intact and somewhat more accessible with the help of some succinct, energetic passages to boost comprehension (`` `He's enormous,' she thought. `Better go swimming tomorrow. Then we'll find out if he's a turkey.' ''). By phrasing the tale as verse, Mitchell gives it an open look that may nudge readers into perceiving Andersen's meditative cadence. Not essential, but not a travesty; the appeal of the elegant illustrations is a good match for a text which, even though abridged, preserves Andersen's inimitable flavor. (Picture book. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 6-8. This retold edition of Andersen's classic fairy tale doesn't stray significantly from standard translated versions, though readers familiar with the original may wonder why certain small details have been changed. Tinted with watercolor washes in muted tones, the strong woodcut illustrations have an old-fashioned look. Libraries offering multiple versions of fairy tales may want to include this one. Carolyn Phelan