Jerry Pinkney

The Ugly Duckling

by: Jerry Pinkney

This story was the traditional story of the little duckling that hatches and is different from everyone else. After much torment, he decides to run away. Through the rough winter he runs into many problems. Once winter is gone he decided to follow a group of swans. When they approach the duckling he apologizes for being so ugly. This is when he looks in the water and sees that he is the most beautiful swan of them all. I like this story because it shows students that everyone develops at their own pace and that the bad things in their life will change. One thing I do not like about this story is the importance of beauty. I think that children are under so much pressure to be beautiful already. Though I will continue to share this story with children, I like to tell them that beauty can come in many forms. Beauty can be on the outside or the inside.

Some other books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney are:

Three Little Kittens

The Moon Over Star

Little Red Riding Hood

Sweethearts of Rhythm

God Bless the Child

and many more!!!!