An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

This favorite fairy tale is perfect for parents looking for children's classics to read with their little one. Teased by his siblings for his different looks, the brave cygnet journeys into the world, looking for friendship and kindness. Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's original story, this is the story of how one little duckling overcomes obstacles and challenges, and with patience and determination, finally finds the companionship for which he has been searching. The charming illustrations by Giuseppe di Lernia in this picture book are sure to capture the imaginations of little ones, and the large format of this book is ideal for sharing with children aged 3 to 5 and reading together at bedtime.

For over one hundred years The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite, and Jerry Pinkney's spectacular new adaptation brings it triumphantly to new generations of readers. With keen emotion and fresh vision, the acclaimed artist captures the essence of the tale's timeless appeal: The journey of the awkward little bird -- marching bravely through hecklers, hunters, and cruel seasons -- is an unforgettable survival story; this blooming into a graceful swan is a reminder of the patience often necessary to discover true happiness. Splendid watercolors set in the lush countryside bring drama to life.

An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals in the barnyard before he grows into a beautiful swan.

"Foreword by Stephen R. Covey Are outer demands for more success, more money, and more prestige overwhelming your inner longings? Is your work no longer energizing you? For many people in the work world, years of frenetic activity and blind ambition are actually killing them. They are enslaved to the opinions of others...to the financial burden of an extravagant lifestyle...to a crushing fear of failure. The great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen succinctly illuminated foibles like these in his treasured fairy tales for children and adults. Now, the powerful lessons of these classic folk tales have been ingeniously applied to the complexities of the modern workplace. The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work probes H. C. Andersen's sharp and witty stories for lessons that will inspire you to bring more meaning, more energy, and more joy to your work -- to create a meaningful work life. You'll read about: * The Emperor's New Clothes: This prickly story pokes fun at phoniness and snobbery and shows how fear and ego can drive you to foolishness. You'll learn to reclaim your own agenda by using two terrific fool-detectors: self-awareness and candid conversations. * The Ugly Duckling: This fierce tale of rejection, survival, longing, learning, and growing teaches you that success is not just having a great career, but finding out where you belong and becoming the person you were meant to be. * The Dung Beetle: The dung beetle, a self-absorbed and status-driven creature, provides a cautionary example of the need to get past illusions and face the reality of your strengths and weaknesses in order to succeed. * The Nightingale: This charming story looks at a plain little bird that sings the most enchanting songs, drawing its strength from nature, meaning, and freedom -- in sharp contrast to the gold, titles, and applause that motivate the emperor's court. The tale teaches you to push beyond mere perfunctory performances and reach your full potential. In addition to the concise summaries and probing analyses of H. C. Andersen's tales, The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work includes the author's new translations of the full texts, which restore the humor and rich detail often muted in previous English translations. Simple but never simplistic, these insightful interpretations and translations of some of the most cherished stories ever written will help you look deeply at your life, laugh lightly at your flaws, and make the changes needed to build a more meaningful, joyful work life."

This edition contains the original and unabridged text of this Hans Christian Andersen classic. "The Ugly Duckling" is a fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen. The story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from the others around him until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all. The story is beloved around the world as a tale about personal transformation for the better. "The Ugly Duckling" was first published in Copenhagen, Denmark to great critical acclaim. The tale is completely Andersen's invention and owes no debt to fairy or folklore.