The Ugly Five

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Beginning with an author's note explaining the inspiration for its creation, the latest effort of the dynamic duo of Donaldson/Scheffler is grounded in reality. When traveling in South Africa, Donaldson heard of a group of animals called the ugly five: wildebeest, hyena, lappet-faced vulture, warthog, and marabou stork. She felt affection toward these animals who are not the glorious creatures people venture onto the savanna to ooh and ahh over. This backhanded ode to these seemingly unlovable beasts includes the same stellar rhyme we expect from Donaldson, and the bright, expressive, almost comical illustrations from Scheffler. We meet each repugnant animal and just as we are questioning, "why did nature create these yucky beasts?"...we meet their babies who love them all, no matter what they look like. The beauty-being-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder message will not be lost on young audiences, who might bristle at a book calling any creatures ugly. In the end, we learn that we should not be unkind to or judge another creature on its outward appearance, a lesson that bears repeating as children navigate the playground and classroom dynamics and learn to practice kindness. The book closes with a little more information about more animals found on a safari and invites the reader to express an opinion about which animals are of interest. Not an essential purchase, but a solid offering to add to your collection.

Overall Book Score: good