The Author: Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen was born in 1804 in the Danish island of Odense. He came from a poor family and loved using his imagination. When he came of age, Andersen traveled to pursue a career in acting at the Royal Theatre. Unfortunately, the competitive nature of acting did not bode well for him. However, he did find affection in his director’s children, and Andersen started writing stories for them. He started writing poems, stories, and plays, and his first poem was published in 1827.
His stories started receiving critical acclaim and Andersen began his literary career. Many of his stories have to do with his own life, and Andersen also loved to travel and write about different cultures. He received much praise, earning an Honorary Citizen Award for his hometown. Andersen is best known for his fairytales, over 150 stories, which include The Snow Queen, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Ugly Duckling, which Andersen claimed was a reflection of his own life. Andersen’s stories are still being told today and will forever be cherished. Bredsdorff, Elias (1975). Hans Christian Andersen: The Story of his Life and Work 1805-75. Phaidon. http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/ |
The Book: The Ugly DucklingHave you ever experienced the feeling of never being good enough? Things told to us as children affect us throughout our lives, and The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen illustrates this beautifully. Written in 1843, this timeless story tells the tale of a duckling who looked different from everyone, resulting in becoming shut out due to his “ugliness.” Unfortunately, the duckling began to believe it himself.
This story is a reminder of how everyone is beautiful, and as teachers, this is an important lesson to instill in students. Constantly tell students about their worth, because as the fairytale teaches, happiness comes from love and acceptance. Whether you read this to students or read for yourself, The Ugly Duckling is well worth your time. |
The Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney is the illustrator of many popular children's texts. He is a three-time Caldecott Honor artist and four-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. His use of watercolors always brings the text to life and he is able to bring new life to any text. The illustrations in his text will help spark the imagination in anyone who picks up his books. In his adaptation of The Ugly Duckling, Pinkney does an excellent job of weeding out some of Hans Christian Andersen's harsh details in the way the ugly duckling was treated. However, he does leave important aspects of the story that are vital to opening up discussion with children on how we should treat people. Pinkney's adaptation serves as an excellent source for showing children how treating people poorly can hurt them.