The Ugly Truckling
The author, an animator for feature films and television, demonstrates his considerable talent in this lovely story. This book is a fresh take on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale The Ugly Duckling, with elements of P.D.Eastman's Are You My Mother. Way out west a truckling is "born." Try as she might, she can't keep up with her brothers and sisters. She can't lug logs, or pull hay, and her truck bed is nothing like her siblings. In fact, she doesn't even resemble the others. And so one night she sets off to find out exactly who she is. Through her travels, the ugly truckling learns who and what she is not until, at last she glories in who she is: an airplane.
I thought this was a sweet and charming book, perfect for short attention spans. It's fresh and fun and actually compliments the other stories from which the author has so obviously borrowed. Despite the derivative nature of the book, I enjoyed it, and also liked the accompanying artwork. Making the most of kids' interest in vehicles, especially boys', the author tells a charming and appealing story. Sure, he could've pushed the envelope a little and tried to create something a little bit more original,and stimulating, but for the youngest of children, it's delightful.
