The Ugly Duckling
The ugly duckling runs away from the farm. He runs away from men with guns and dogs to an old hut. He hasn't got any eggs, so he must go. In the winter he's cold and he can't swim. Poor ugly duckling! Nobody likes him. In the spring he flies down to a river and sees his face in the water. He's not an ugly duckling any more!... This richly illustrated series of retold fairy tales for children aged 5-12 years old will bring an extra dimension to your English teaching. With listening, speaking, reading, writing, and drama activities, Classic Tales graded readers make it easy for you to create complete language lessons around a popular and engaging traditional tale...
Classic Tales: The Ugly Duckling – A Beautiful Story for English Learners
Do you enjoy classic fairy tales? Are you learning English? If your answer is yes, Classic Tales: The Ugly Duckling is the perfect book for you! This story is retold by Sue Arengo and is part of the Classic Tales series by OUP Oxford. It is written for children and English learners at A2 or B1 levels. This famous story teaches an important lesson: everyone is special in their own way.
What Is the Story About?
The story begins on a farm. A little duckling is born, but he does not look like the other ducks. Everyone calls him "ugly," and he feels very sad. The other animals do not like him, so he decides to leave the farm.
The ugly duckling faces many challenges. He runs away from people with guns and dogs. He lives in an old hut but has no place to stay. Winter comes, and it is cold. The ugly duckling cannot swim because the water is frozen. He feels lonely and unhappy.
But when spring arrives, something amazing happens. The duckling sees his reflection in the water. He is not ugly anymore—he has grown into a beautiful swan! Everyone admires him, and he finally feels happy and loved.
This heartwarming story teaches us that things can change, and beauty is not always about how we look.
Why Is This Book Good for Learning English?
Classic Tales: The Ugly Duckling is perfect for English learners because it uses simple language and short sentences. The story is easy to understand, and the pictures help explain what is happening. This makes the book enjoyable and helps readers learn new words.
Special Features of the Book
This book is more than just a story. It has many features that make learning English fun and easy:
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Beautiful Illustrations
The book is full of colorful pictures. These illustrations help readers understand the story and make reading more enjoyable. -
Activities for Learning
After the story, there are listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. These exercises help readers practice what they have learned. For example, they can answer questions, act out parts of the story, or write about their favorite character. -
Audio Support
The story comes with audio. Readers can listen to the story and improve their pronunciation and listening skills. Listening to the story also helps them enjoy the rhythm of the English language. -
Drama Activities
Teachers or parents can use the drama activities to make learning more interactive. Children can act out the story, which helps them practice speaking and build confidence.
Why Should You Read This Book?
Classic Tales: The Ugly Duckling is not just a story—it is an experience. It teaches kindness, patience, and the value of inner beauty. At the same time, it helps readers improve their English skills. The simple text, engaging activities, and beautiful pictures make this book a great choice for English learners.
Whether you are a student, teacher, or parent, this book has something for everyone. It is a wonderful way to enjoy a classic fairy tale while learning English.
So, if you are looking for a fun and educational book, try Classic Tales: The Ugly Duckling. It will make you smile and help you learn at the same time!
Sue Arengo British author and editor of children's books
A Storyteller for Young Learners of English
Sue Arengo is a British author who writes wonderful stories for children learning English. She has worked with Oxford University Press for over 20 years, creating books that are fun and easy to read. Many of her books are part of graded reader series like Classic Tales, Dominoes, and Oxford Bookworms.
Bringing Fairy Tales to Life
One of Sue’s most famous works is the Classic Tales series. This award-winning series retells traditional fairy tales like The Ugly Duckling, The Magic Brocade, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. These stories are written in simple English, making them perfect for children learning English as a second language. The series is loved by teachers and students worldwide and is now in its second edition.
Creating Original Stories
Sue Arengo doesn’t just rewrite old stories—she also creates new ones! Books like Baby Robot and Archie’s Sweet Shop show her talent for writing fun, imaginative stories. These books help children enjoy reading and improve their English at the same time.
A Talent for Art
Did you know Sue Arengo is also an artist? Using the name Kisa, she paints colorful and imaginative pictures with oil paints. Her art has been shown in exhibitions, including one at John Wesley’s Methodist Chapel in Bristol. Sue even illustrated her own fairy tale called Lord of the Meadow. This beautiful story, set in an English summer meadow, has many small oil-painted illustrations.
Inspiring Young Readers
Sue Arengo’s work is special because it helps young learners discover the joy of reading. Her books make English easy and fun for children all over the world. With her creativity and talent, Sue continues to inspire young readers to dream big and learn with enthusiasm.
If you are looking for interesting books for English learners, Sue Arengo’s stories are a great place to start. Her work combines learning with imagination, making reading an enjoyable experience for everyone.
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