Book Review of The Sissy Duckling (2002)
Michael Ross
Issue Contents
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The Sissy Duckling
Authored by Harvey Fierstein
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Simon and Schuster, 2002
I was very fortunate to attend the second G.A.L.E. conference at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School in October of 2004. It will remain memorable for me as my own “Coming Out” conference. Being an absolute nut about children’s books, I was thrilled when the keynote speaker read The Sissy Duckling as a part of his keynote address. The book touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I identified with The Sissy Duckling. Except for the feathers and webbed feet, that sissy duckling was I many, many years ago!
That afternoon, immediately following the conference, I found myself at Little Sisters bookstore, a specialty bookstore that carries titles virtually impossible to find elsewhere. I purchased a hardcover copy for my own classroom. I am so glad I did!
This beautifully illustrated book, complete with glitter-embossed lettering on the front cover, bears similarities, in both name and theme, to the traditional tale The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson. Harvey Fierstein dedicates the book “to proud sissies everywhere”.
Any adult reader who has a child, experienced being chosen last for a team sport at school, or ostracized because of being “different”, will be cheering for the main character, a duckling who is different in many ways from his peers. Elmer is into decorating cookies and putting on puppet shows while the other boy ducklings box and play football. His father, worried about being the “laughingstock of the flock”, attempts to teach Elmer to play baseball so that he will be like the other ducks, with disastrous results. Feeling like a total disappointment to his mama and papa, Elmer runs away from home and uses his “special talents” to set up his own digs. He ends up saving his father from a hunter and nursing him back to health, which gives dad and son a perfect opportunity to actually get to know each other. The Sissy Duckling ends “happily ever after”, but not without Elmer’s declaration of independence: “I am a BIG SISSY and PROUD of it!”
I know a genuinely touching book when I read one - my teary eyes are a dead giveaway.
Yes, I cried upon first reading it to my class, and I still have to catch my breath during the father-son reunion. It hits close to home for me, as I’m sure it will for many others.
The addition of The Sissy Duckling to my already extensive classroom library will serve for sensitive discussions about appreciating, even celebrating, differences in others. The Sissy Duckling emerges as a genuine hero, but even more importantly, a hero with a huge heart. I highly recommend it for both teachers and parents. It is sure to enable discussions about diversity, inclusion versus exclusion, and family love.
As a post-reading Social Development activity, it would be rewarding to have a “ Magic Circle ” discussion, in which each child says something about him/herself that creates difference from someone else in the room. Encourage likes, interests, talents, and dig deeper than the obvious physical differences. I would extend this further (doubling the “magic”) by going around again and encouraging children to offer something about him/herself that they think makes them the same as someone else in the room.
A quick and visually striking art activity could also be a great follow-up to The Sissy Duckling:
Fold an 8 x 11 paper in half. One the left side, Start the sentence
“Some kids like to ___________” (they write a recess/lunch activity in the blank and illustrate). On the right side, print “but I’d rather _____________________ “ and illustrate.
Once the artwork is finished, volunteers could compare and contrast their different ideas.
The Sissy Duckling is available at Little Sisters bookstore for $24.50. I challenge you to read it without feeling even a little tug at your heartstrings!
Michael Ross
Grade 1/2 teacher Mission School District
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