This graphic novel for young readers ages 5 to 7 updates the story of an ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan—but the odd duck out is actually a dragon!
It’s the classic ugly duckling tale—but this time around, the little one turns out not to be a swan, but a dragon. And when their duckling siblings find themselves in trouble, it's our little fire-breathing friend who saves the day. Whereas Hans Christian Andersen's original is synonymous with inner beauty, Frank Cammuso’s loving update turns it into a parable of inner strength.
"In this appealing spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling,” a mama duck finds a strange egg in her nest. When it hatches, a red, reptilian creature entirely unlike its siblings emerges... Appealing in its simplicity, this graphic novel offers uplifting themes of embracing one’s unique qualities and recognizing positive differences in others. Brightly colored illustrations are expressive and gently rounded, reminiscent of classic mid-20th-century animation... Sure to please both animal lovers and fairy-tale fans, this graphic novel for emerging readers is a recommended purchase for collections."—School Library Journal
"Blending the feel of classic Disney comics, a venerable fairy tale, and Are You My Mother? plotting, Cammuso transforms an identity quest into a funny but pointed reminder that family is about connection. "—Publishers Weekly
“A baby dragon raised by ducks looks for self-discovery in this funny, spirited retelling of The Ugly Duckling… Cammuso's draconian twist on Hans Christian Andersen highlights the power of knowing oneself. His pencil and digital illustrations favor blue skies and adorable, cartoonish character design inside neat, black-lined panels. This fairy tale retelling should delight young comic readers looking for lighthearted fare.” —Shelf Awareness
"In this cute, comic-style retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s 'Ugly Duckling', Mom announces that even the one who’s a bit different will be one of hers and she’ll love them all the same... Simple panel arrangements, neat talk bubbles and printing, and a strong dose of visual humor will make this a popular graphic novel choice. Cammuso’s friendly, cartoonish animals have easy to read faces and expressive body movements (the dragon scratches his head in puzzlement in one frame and makes a disgusted face after trying a mouthful of grass in another) that will help young readers with decoding. Anyone who’s ever wondered just where they fit in the general scheme of things will enjoy this manageable identity crisis."—Youth Services Book Review
"A cute retelling of a classic story we know and love. Nort doesn’t look like a duckling, but his mother still accepts him as her own. But that doesn’t shake his feeling of wanting to understand WHAT he is. A silly and hopeful story about belonging and self-discovery!" --Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Frank Cammuso is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel series The Misadventures of Salem Hyde and Knights of the Lunch Table. Frank wrote and drew the comics The Fire Breathing Duckling, Otto’s Orange Day and Otto’s Backwards Day for TOON Books, the latter receiving an Eisner nomination. He also wrote and drew his self-published graphic novel Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective, for which he received another Eisner nomination.
View titles by Frank Cammuso
This graphic novel for young readers ages 5 to 7 updates the story of an ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan—but the odd duck out is actually a dragon!
It’s the classic ugly duckling tale—but this time around, the little one turns out not to be a swan, but a dragon. And when their duckling siblings find themselves in trouble, it's our little fire-breathing friend who saves the day. Whereas Hans Christian Andersen's original is synonymous with inner beauty, Frank Cammuso’s loving update turns it into a parable of inner strength.
Reviews
"In this appealing spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling,” a mama duck finds a strange egg in her nest. When it hatches, a red, reptilian creature entirely unlike its siblings emerges... Appealing in its simplicity, this graphic novel offers uplifting themes of embracing one’s unique qualities and recognizing positive differences in others. Brightly colored illustrations are expressive and gently rounded, reminiscent of classic mid-20th-century animation... Sure to please both animal lovers and fairy-tale fans, this graphic novel for emerging readers is a recommended purchase for collections."—School Library Journal
"Blending the feel of classic Disney comics, a venerable fairy tale, and Are You My Mother? plotting, Cammuso transforms an identity quest into a funny but pointed reminder that family is about connection. "—Publishers Weekly
“A baby dragon raised by ducks looks for self-discovery in this funny, spirited retelling of The Ugly Duckling… Cammuso's draconian twist on Hans Christian Andersen highlights the power of knowing oneself. His pencil and digital illustrations favor blue skies and adorable, cartoonish character design inside neat, black-lined panels. This fairy tale retelling should delight young comic readers looking for lighthearted fare.” —Shelf Awareness
"In this cute, comic-style retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s 'Ugly Duckling', Mom announces that even the one who’s a bit different will be one of hers and she’ll love them all the same... Simple panel arrangements, neat talk bubbles and printing, and a strong dose of visual humor will make this a popular graphic novel choice. Cammuso’s friendly, cartoonish animals have easy to read faces and expressive body movements (the dragon scratches his head in puzzlement in one frame and makes a disgusted face after trying a mouthful of grass in another) that will help young readers with decoding. Anyone who’s ever wondered just where they fit in the general scheme of things will enjoy this manageable identity crisis."—Youth Services Book Review
"A cute retelling of a classic story we know and love. Nort doesn’t look like a duckling, but his mother still accepts him as her own. But that doesn’t shake his feeling of wanting to understand WHAT he is. A silly and hopeful story about belonging and self-discovery!" --Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Frank Cammuso is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel series The Misadventures of Salem Hyde and Knights of the Lunch Table. Frank wrote and drew the comics The Fire Breathing Duckling, Otto’s Orange Day and Otto’s Backwards Day for TOON Books, the latter receiving an Eisner nomination. He also wrote and drew his self-published graphic novel Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective, for which he received another Eisner nomination.
View titles by Frank Cammuso
