Ugly

UGLY: A Whimsical Celebration Of The Weird, Wonderful World Of Being Exactly Who You Are.

What if "ugly" is just another way of saying "amazing"?

It might be a surprise to find the things that stand out in us are the very things that let us shine. In UGLY, meet a cast of funny animals who prove that every peculiar trait might be there for a special reason.

From the shaggy fringe of a Highland cow to the hairy, dancing legs of a Peacock jumping spider, nature is full of curious characters. While some might see a Sphinx cat's wrinkles or a Nubian goat's long ears as "weird", UGLY shows that every unusual trait has a story to tell-and a reason to be loved.

Featuring exquisitely detailed watercolour illustrations and a cheeky sense of humour, this book takes children aged 3-8 on a global parade of the extraordinary. Whether it's the pom-pom "hat" of a Polish chicken or the spines of an echidna, young readers will discover that beauty isn't just skin deep-it's in the clever design of every tuft, scale, and goggle-eye. Can you find the most colourful part of the Mandrill? Hint: It's not his nose! Just wait until he turns around, and get ready for a belly-shaking giggle. It turns out, being "extraordinary" goes all the way from head to... well, you'll see!

UGLY is a quirky conversation starter, with a heartfelt message of self-esteem and self-acceptance, told through stunning detail, which will stay with a child long after the final page is turned. A heartwarming celebration of perspective, diversity, and the wonder of being exactly who you are.

Look closely-the things that make us different are the very things that make us extraordinary.

Leslye Sharon Cole is a graphic designer and award-winning artist whose work spans the worlds of fine art and illustration. Her artwork has been featured in nine non-fiction titles, including the genre-bestselling THE Dog Whisperer (New Holland Publishers Australia), which she also co-authored. While her career has been defined by visual storytelling, UGLY marks her heartfelt debut into children's literature. A long-time advocate for childhood literacy and the joy of reading aloud, Leslye has carried the seeds of this story since her own children were small. She lives and creates with the belief that the things that make us different are precisely what make us extraordinary.