Hans Christian Andersen is known for his stories about misfits, the poor, and especially a little mermaid who gave up her voice for the love of a prince. The man behind the stories suffered hardships of his own during life, and experts now believe that he was likely on the autism spectrum.

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan by Sandra Nickel, introduces young readers to the young boy, then the man, who would struggle to find acceptance in his world. Hans persevered through many setbacks, trying to make a living through his creative talents, until he finally found success.

At last, he found an audience with children, who loved the paper cutouts he created while he told stories. Eventually, adults came around too, and Hans became so popular he even performed for the royal court in Denmark.

The True Ugly Duckling is a great story for children to learn about perseverance and finding a voice even when it differs from the mainstream. Illustrations by Calvin Nicholls are beautiful paper sculptures, fitting for a story about a man who was known during his time for his own paper sculptures. Nicholls’s work portrays depth and texture while creating Hans’s world.

It’s an interesting story, and an author’s note at the back talks more about Andersen and his work. There’s also a select bibliography for anyone interested in discovering more about this beloved author.