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The Ugly Duckling

(1999, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Hans Andersen, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Kids will sympathize with ugly duckling's plight.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Other farmyard creatures (and the humans) are cruel to the duckling.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Hunters shoot at a flock of geese, and a hunting dog confronts the duckling. The duckling vows that he would rather be killed by the swans than suffer any more cruelty.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Ugly Duckling

Parents need to know that kids will be drawn into the detailed illustrations, and empathize with the forlorn fowl. Positive messages about acceptance abound, and there's nothing here that kids can't handle.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the difficulties of being "different" and the pain of being rejected by one's peers. Have you ever been ostracized by others for the way you look? How did it make you feel? Have you ever treated someone else differently because they didn't look or act like you and your friends?
Tools and tips that can help

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Our Members Say

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See all 10 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    LIMO2009
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Great illustrations

    I LIKE IT

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    Margaret Wiatr
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0

    I cried

    A good fairy tale with a good moral.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    OliviaDipko1999
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 0.0

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