The Ugly Five
on Goodreads (1,385)
What’s inside...
The Ugly Five is a delightful tale for children that introduces them to five 'ugly' animals of the African savannah – the wildebeest, the warthog, the spotted hyena, the lappet-faced vulture, and the marabou stork. As they journey through the savannah, they encounter various other animals and learn to embrace their unique features, discovering that they have families who find them beautiful and love them just the way they are. Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's brand-new picture book is a jubilant celebration of animals who are often rather unloved. The funny, heart-warming rhyme is a joy to read aloud, while bold, comical illustrations bring the savannah spectacularly to life.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the animals in 'The Ugly Five' special?
How did the story change the way you think about the word 'ugly'?
What can we learn from the friendship between the animals?
How do you feel when someone calls something or someone 'ugly'?
Which character did you most relate to and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story’s themes without judgment. Use praise to reinforce their efforts to understand and empathize with the characters. Relate the book's messages to real-life situations to help your child connect with the content on a deeper level. Lastly, emphasize the beauty in diversity and the importance of looking beyond appearances.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: The story celebrates the unique features of the 'Ugly Five' animals, showing children that everyone is special in their own way.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own unique traits and recognize the value in others' differences, promoting self-confidence and inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Friendship
Explanation: The animals in the story find strength and camaraderie in each other, highlighting the importance of forming supportive relationships.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to foster friendships and work cooperatively with peers at school or in play.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Self-acceptance
Explanation: Despite being labeled as 'ugly,' the characters remain cheerful and resilient, teaching children to accept themselves.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by maintaining a positive self-image and resilience in the face of challenges or negative feedback.