Books like 'The Ugly Duckling'
Readers who enjoyed The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy action / adventure classics animals myths children fairy-tale family bullying anthropomorphism
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The Little Mermaid (Disney Classics Collection Storybook) by Sheryl Kahn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo a child, every day is filled with adventure and fantasy. So is a Classic Storybook from Mouse Works. Reading a Classic Storybook is like watching a favorite Disney animated movie all over again. With 96 pages of enchanting story and action-packed illustrations, each book captures the movie magic and places it right in a child's hands... -
The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsFor nearly a century, The Real Mother Goose has delighted young children!For more than seventy-five years THE REAL MOTHER GOOSE has been delighting millions of children, and today the magic is as strong as ever... -
Walt Disney's Pinocchio (A Little Golden Book Classic) by Steffi Fletcher
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe beloved tale of a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy is as appealing now as when it was first released in 1940. The beautiful, vintage illustrations in this Little Golden Book retelling will charm children and collectors alike... -
The Three Little Pigs (A Little Golden Book) by Walt Disney Company, Elizabeth Ross
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRelates the adventures of three little pigs who leave home to seek their fortunes and how they deal with the big bad wolf... -
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Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsMeet Little Bear, a friend to millions of children. And meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday... -
The Barnabus Project by Eric Fan, Terry Fan
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn a world built for Perfect Pets, Barnabus is a Failed Project, half mouse, half elephant, kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure. A stunning picture book from international bestsellers The Fan Brothers, joined by their brother Devin Fan...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children family myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure -
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes Gift Edition with Charm by DuBose Heyward
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsThe country bunny attains the exalted position of Easter Bunny in spite of her responsibilities as the mother of twenty-one children... -
The Jungle Book by Walt Disney Company
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsYOUNG MOWGLI LOVES growing up in the jungle with his animal friends. But what happens when he is told that he must go live in the Man-village? Find out in this Little Golden Book retelling of the classic Disney movie The Jungle Book... -
Cinderella by Ruth Sanderson
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsDreams come true with a little hope and a wave of a fairy godmother's wand. But will the prince find Cinderella after her ball gown turns back into rags? This classic tale is retold by Ruth Sanderson with the very youngest of readers in mind... -
The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded... -
The Jolly Pocket Postman by Janet Ahlberg, Allan Ahlberg
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEveryone's favorite postman finds himself in Alice's Wonderland, knee-high to a Mad Hatter, but nothing can stop the Jolly Postman from completing his mail route as he travels through the Emerald City with Dorothy and other fairy-tale favorites...Categorized as:
children classics fairy-tale retellings action-adventure book children-books fiction -
The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale by Jan Brett
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsA Ukrainian boy named Nicki wants his grandmother Baba to knit snow-white mittens for him. She warns her grandson that a white mitten will be hard to find if he loses it in the snow, but of course he promptly does just that! What happens next is the surprising part, as a mole takes refuge in the lost mitten, then a rabbit, then a hedgehog, an owl, a badger, and a fox... -
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsIt was time for the three little wolves to go out into the world, so off they went and built themselves a splendid brick house. But they hadn't reckoned on the big bad pig who soon came along and knocked their house down. The little wolves built a stronger house of concrete, in which they were sure to be safe. But that didn't stop the big bad pig, who made short work of it with a pneumatic drill... -
Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRichly hued oil paintings complement a story simply and gracefully told."Children...love the story for its mystery, and its familiarity. Adults will find that, like most classic fairy tales, this one rewards periodic rethinking." --New York Times Book Review"Zelinsky's smooth retelling and glowing pictures cast the story in a new and beautiful light... -
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The Curvy Tree: A Tale from the Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe debut picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer Once upon a time, there was a little girl who didn't quite fit in... -
Paddington Bear by Michael Bond, R.W. Alley
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsForty years ago, a small bear from Darkest Peru set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Carrying a battered suitcase containing several jars of marmalade, and wearing a tag around his neck that read Please Look after This Bear, he stowed away on a ship and landed in Londons Paddington Station...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics family xenofiction action-adventure audiobook -
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThere's been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer's new piglet... -
Bambi by Bob Grant
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsDisney...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics family xenofiction 20th-century action-adventure -
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsOnce upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.One day--for no particular reason--they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then--for no particular reason--they decided to go...someplace else... -
The Battle for Castle Cockatrice by Gerald Durrell
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhat do you get when you cross a bunch of odious toads and ornery fire-breathing birds with one parrot, a distressed dragon, a group of weasels, a troop of mermaids, a herd of unicorns, a band of gryphons, and three children?When Penelope, Simon, and Peter go to the beach, they get a surprise they'll never forget...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure -
Petite Rouge by Mike Artell
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen her grand-mère comes down wit' de flu, this Cajun Little Red knows what she has to do. With her witty cat, TeJean, she sets off in a pirogue to bring Grand-mère some gumbo. Who should she meet upon the way, but that big ol' swamp gator, Claude! Mean ol' Claude may want to gobble up Petite Rouge, but she and TeJean have a better idea... -
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsSTORIES TO GO!Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble and unthinkingly wishes himself turned into a rock when he's frightened by a lion. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving parents is a tender, magical tale of the transforming power of love. This Caldecott Medal-winning book is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere... -
Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Dan Santat
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCompanion to the hit The Three Ninja Pigs, this fractured fairy tale is a sure-fire storytime hit. Wolf just can’t catch a break! Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja skills, huffing and puffing just hasn’t been enough to scare up a good meal. His craving for meat sends Wolf to classes at the dojo, and soon he’s ready to try out his new moves... -
It Fell from the Sky by Terry Fan, Eric Fan
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFrom the creators of the critically acclaimed The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky comes a whimsical and elegantly illustrated picture book about community, art, the importance of giving back—and the wonder that fell from the sky.It fell from the sky on a Thursday. None of the insects know where it came from, or what it is. Some say it’s an egg. Others, a gumdrop... -
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The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Dan Santat
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsPractice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale... -
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThis is the story of a boy and his weasel, a bird and a snake, India and the British Empire. Rudyard Kipling's dramatic tale, here excerpted from the greater volume of The Jungle Book, is the story of the loyal mongoose, Rikk-Tikki-Tavi, and the lengths to which he must go to protect his adoptive human family...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics literary-fiction myths retellings xenofiction -
Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIt's a pillar, says one. It's a fan, says another. One by one, the seven blind mice investigate the strange Something by the pond. And one by one, they come back with a different theory. It's only when the seventh mouse goes out-and explores the whole Something-that the mice see the whole truth...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure -
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratings"Clever, whimsical and sophisticated.” —New York Times Book Review Taking visual narrative to a new level, this picture book from the creator of Tuesday and Flotsam begins a seemingly familiar tale of three pigs preparing to build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks. But when the Big Bad Wolf comes looking for a snack, he huffs and puffs the first little pig right out of the story . . -
The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsTHE TALE OF MR. JEREMY FISHERThe Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, like Peter Rabbit, began life as an illustrated letter to a young child. It was written when Beatrix Potter was on holiday in Scotland where her father and his friends enjoyed fishing expeditions. Mr. Jeremy has a day full of the worst fisherman's mishaps when he sets out to catch minnows for his dinner...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics fairy-tale literary-fiction retellings xenofiction -
Richard Scarry's Funniest Storybook Ever! by Richard Scarry
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFull color 15 stories about beloved Scarry animals...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics xenofiction action-adventure anthologies children-books -
The High Hills by Jill Barklem
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWilfred Toadflex is convinced that there's gold in them thar hills, but he becomes engulfed in a thick fog while perched on a precarious ledge as he searches for his fortune. Full color...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics xenofiction action-adventure book children-books -
My Little Pony: Daring Do and the Marked Thief of Marapore by G.M. Berrow
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDaring Do--fan-favorite character and star of her own books series read by the ponies on the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic TV show--has made the jump to her own real-life adventure series! Three missing relics. Two mysterious stallions. One fearless Pegasus. Deep in the southern reaches of Equestria, danger is brewing..Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children xenofiction action-adventure book children-books fiction -
Eva and Baby Mo: A Branches Book by Rebecca Elliott
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsPick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
Christopher Robin: The Novelization by Elizabeth Rudnick
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCapturing the heartwarming magic of Walt Disney Studios' upcoming Christopher Robin film, this novelization pulls fans back into the world of Pooh through a book that enables them to relive the story and revisit their old pals whenever they please... -
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Flossie and the Fox by Patricia C. McKissack
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA wily fox, notorious for stealing eggs, meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure -
Bubba, the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Fale by Helen Ketteman
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBubba is bossed around the family ranch by his wicked step-daddy and his nasty stepbrothers, Dwayne and Milton. Bubba never complains, though. He's a real cowboy - tough as leather (and cute as a cow's ear).When Miz Lurleen, the purtiest rancher in Texas, decides to throw a ball to find herself a real feller, Bubba has to stay at home... -
Peter in Blueberry Land by Elsa Beskow
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPeter is looking for blueberries for his mother's birthday but he can't find a single one. Suddenly he feels a light tap on his shoe, and a strange and magical adventure begins.This is one of Elsa Beskow's best-known and best-loved books... -
Pinocchio by Tania Zamorsky, Arthur Pober
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMischievous, lazy, and full of tricks, the puppet Pinocchio causes trouble for his creator, Geppetto, almost as soon as he comes to life. Yet, more than anything, this naughty and playful creature wants to become a real boy. To make his dreams come true, he must prove himself worthy... -
Pinduli by Janell Cannon
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“Cannon fans will lap it up.” ― Kirkus Reviews Pinduli’s mama has always told her that she’s the most beautiful hyena ever. But Dog, Lion, and Zebra don't think so. Why else would they make her feel so rotten about her big ears, her fuzzy mane, and her wiggly stripes? Poor Pinduli just wants to disappear...Categorized as:
animals family children bullying anthropomorphism xenofiction children-books fiction -
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene Field
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsEugene W. Field's timeless lullaby is lovingly rendered in charming, whimsical illustrations by award-winning illustrator David McPhail.WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD takes children on a magical journey into the night sky where three fishermen sail in a wooden shoe, capturing the stars in nets of silver and gold and laughing with the moon... -
The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris, Richard Chase
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt’s been more than a hundred years since the publication of the first Uncle Remus book, and it was in 1955 that all of the delightful and inimitable tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Wolf were gathered together in one volume...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics fairy-tale literary-fiction myths retellings -
The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth, Barbara McClintock
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA new rendition of a beloved classic by award-winning author/illustrator team Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock... -
The Tortoise and the Hare: An Aesop Fable by Janet Stevens
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTortoise proves he is a formidable opponent in this comic adaptation of a classic tale... -
Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsCharles Perrault's Puss in Boots has been an irresistible magnet for countless illustrators ever since this classic French tale was first published in 1697...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics fairy-tale literary-fiction myths retellings -
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The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsA little bunny keeps running away from his mother in an imaginative and imaginary game of verbal hide-and-seek; children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics family literary-fiction xenofiction 20th-century -
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsEveryone loves Willy the wind-up mouse, while Alexander the real mouse is chased away with brooms and mousetraps. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be loved and cuddled, thinks Alexander, and he wishes he could be a wind-up mouse too. In this gentle fable about a real mouse and a mechanical mouse, Leo Lionni explores the magic of friendship...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children classics myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure -
Super Slug of Doom: A Super Happy Magic Forest Story by Matty Long
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Super Happy Magic Forest is once again thrown into disruption and chaos when Blossom the unicorn accidentally releases the super slug of doom from his hibernation beneath an ordinary rock. Can our five reluctant heroes -- Hoofius, Blossom, Twinkle, Trevor, and Herbert -- once again save their beloved forest from slimy, sludgy, yucky evil? We sure hope so. . -
Imani's Moon by JaNay Brown-Wood, Hazel Mitchell
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsImani is a young Maasai girl with a loving mother and a desire to do something great. When she decides she wants to touch the moon, she works hard to reach her goal, even in the face of teasing from the naysayers around her... -
Crow and Weasel by Barry Lopez
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"A brilliantly written and totally original New World adventure." - Jean Craighead GeorgeLong ago, when people and animals spoke the same language, two young men left their tribe to make an adventurous voyage through the wilderness, into the unknown northland...Categorized as:
animals anthropomorphism children myths retellings xenofiction action-adventure book -
Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin by Pam Calvert
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsRumpelstiltskin is back! This time he's making mischief with his multiplying stick. Can Peter unlock the secret of the stick in time to save the kingdom? Whimsical illustrations bring fun to multiplying whole numbers and fractions...
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