Review Detail

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan

Kids Nonfiction 185

More Perspective on a Beloved Author

May 08, 2026 (Updated: June 08, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

4.0

Hans Christian Andersen starting telling stories when he was very young, but didn't always get positive feedback for them. When he was old enough, he left his small village to travel to Copenhagen to try to break into the theater , but was kicked out. He didn't do well at a dance school, either. He had some brief success in the Royal Theater's Boys' Choir until his voice changed, so at the age of seventeen, he found himself attending school. He stopped writing stories and turned his attention to academics, and afterwards found some success in telling his stories to children. He had a book printed, and eventually found success with his stories, which have the feel of classic folk and fairy tales.

Good Points

An author's note addresses the possible sources of Andersen's social awkwardness; he might have suffered from Marfan Syndrome, which led to his tall and lanky physique, and was likely on the autism spectrum. Because he was born in 1805, this would not necessarily have been identified. We are seeing more biographies that explore more depth of historical figures, including some differences that used to be swept under the rug.

It's the cut paper illustrations that really make this one; Nicholls does a great job of layering the backgrounds with a lot of different elements, and also of conveying emtions in the figures. I especially like Andersen's clothes; the wrinkles in the pants are so realistic. The color palette has a lot of blue, yellow and green which seem very evocative of the Danish countryside.

Young readers will be familiar with Andersen's stories but might not know the background of the author. Add this to our literary round table of picture book biographies of authors that might include Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Make Way: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and some very Famous Ducklings by Angel Burke Kunkel, One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll: A Celebration of Wordplay and a Girl Named Alice by Kathleen Krull and illustrated Júlia Sardà., Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel and Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary by Vicki Conrad and illustrated by David Holm.