The Ugly Duckling/El Patito Feo

by Merce Escardo i Bas, Francesc Capdevila (Max) (Illustrator), Merce Escardo i Bas (Adapted by)

Overview

Retold in both Spanish and English, the universally loved story The Ugly Duckling will delight early readers and older learners alike. The striking illustrations give a new look to this classic tale, and the bilingual text makes it perfect for both home and classroom libraries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811844550
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	04/01/2004
Series:	Bilingual Fairy Tales Series
Edition description:	Bilingual Edition: English & Spanish
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 3-Two competent retellings of classic fairy tales are presented in an attractive format. In both volumes, a page of text appears opposite a colorful pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoon. The artists' styles, however, are very different. In The Ugly Duckling, the art has strong black outlines and a pale, understated palette. Unfortunately, the swan of the end of the story does not look significantly different from the duckling in his ugly phase. The paintings for The Princess and the Pea are detailed and bright. Especially effective is the drenched look of the pictures of the rainstorm, with the opulent colors bleeding just slightly. The Spanish translations reflect the English-accurate as to plot but lacking Hans Christian Andersen's distinctive voice. While not as informed as other versions using a more authentic or traditional translation, such as Anthea Bell's translation of The Princess and the Pea (S & S, 1991) or Patricia McKissack's El patito feo/The Ugly Little Duck (Children's, 1989; o.p.), these stylish adaptations are excellent introductions to a classic author for ELL programs and libraries that serve significant Hispanic populations. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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