The Ugly Duck Thing

Laurence Anholt's picture book follows a mother duck whose six eggs hatch into five tiny ducklings and one unusually large, clumsy chick that looks nothing like a duck. As the farm animals react to this odd newcomer, the "Ugly Duck Thing" sets out on a quest to find where he truly belongs. Young readers watch the chick discover that being different can be a strength, and that acceptance comes from within. The simple text and lively illustrations make this a gentle story about identity and belonging for children in the early elementary grades.