A touching story about accepting people for who they really are-the exuberant, cartoonish illustrations and honest approach keep this book from being overly cloying.

Elmer was the happiest duckling in the whole forest, doing all the things he loved to do-including painting pictures, playing make-believe, and decorating cookies.  He was, according to the other ducklings, a great big sissy.

It’s Henry Cole’s illustrations that take a what might have otherwise have been a competent “message” book and turn it it into something memorable.  With an expressive mop of feathers sticking out of his head, Elmer nearly glows when he’s happy and visibly droops when he’s sad.

One thing I found interesting about this book is that pretty much all the adults I showed it to described it as a book about being gay-but the book itself never uses the word, and Elmer is never shown as having any romantic feelings period.  He’s a little boy (well, duck) with feminine interests.  Normally I’m quite critical the mealy-mouthed approach-but in the case of The Sissy Duckling, I think the more ambiguous approach works.  Not all feminine boys (or masculine girls) are homosexual, but they’re very often the target of homophobia-this book is just as applicable to their lives.  The message works on every level-traditionally “feminine” skills are shown as useful and enjoyable, Elmer is proud of who he is and refuses to let anyone else define his identity for him, all mixed in with a call for acceptance.  A great book to use when addressing “that’s so gay”-type taunts.

Grade Level:  2.7

Rating: ★★★★