"The Ugly Duckling," retell breathes new life into the timeless tale of self-discovery and transformation with an independent reading level for grades kindergarten to 3rd. The story is emotionally resonant and captures the hardships and eventual triumph of the "ugly duckling.

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Book (2000) for Jerry Pinkney’s stunning watercolor illustrations.
Recognized as an enduring classic in children’s literature.

Independent Reading Level: Kindergarten - Second Grade
Awards: The Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award and the Randolph Caldecott Medal

This is a beautiful story by Hans Christian Andersen. An egg is found in the nest amid the others. This one is quite different than the others. When hatched it is quite strange. Away from the others he is ostracized. Diving into the deep, freezing cold, alone and freezing, caught in the ice death seems near. But even though he did not have enough to eat, slowly the earth became more soft and tender. In front of him were a flock of birds, very much like him, ever so slowly, he gained strength and began to stretch himself down into the water he began to fly, and those who saw him believed he was the most beautiful of all. ( )

The greatest fairy tale ever. It was published in 1843, and even today, it sounds so relevant! In this story, I found comfort, support, and inspiration in the most challenging periods of my life, and I am convinced that for nearly 160 years, countless people have drawn strength from Hans Christian Andersen’s masterpieces. And this is called eternity. Writers like Andersen, who had stood the test of time, are geniuses, and their gift has nothing in common with some of today's bestselling authors. They sell millions of books, but they sound perfunctory, soulless, machine-like. We all know, however, that art is never about money. You carry it in your heart. Or you don’t. As Andersen says: “It does not matter that one has been born in the henyard as long as one has lain in a swan’s egg.” ( )

Individual Reading Level: Grades 3-5 ( )