The Ugly Five, by Julia Donaldson

If you have followed my blog you’ll know I’m a huge fan of the Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler combination (click here for the proof). ‘The Ugly Five‘ was released late last year and we have just gotten a hold of a copy and have fallen for it. The most lovely thing about it is that while the story, the rhymes and the illustrations will captivate the kids, the deeper message of the book will hit parents, especially mothers, in the feels, time and time again.

The book opens with a view of an African plain and some of the well known,  exotic and admired animals people go there to see. The majestic and noble lion and the colourful and unique flamingo. We then get a glimpse of our first ‘ugly’ friend. She is bearded, spindly and forgettable, and she calls herself ‘The Ugly One’.

As the story continues we meet other animals with similar flaws who join ‘The Ugly One’. Their skin is wrinkled, their hair disheveled, they eat unappealing food, or live in undesirable locations. Each of them has a list of unpleasant – ugly- characteristics, that is very convincing.

After reading it through a few times I’m sure there are lots of mums and dads who can relate to some of the ugly ones. Perhaps you are like the wildebeest who seems to have body image issues or the hyena who claims to have spiky hair and spotty skin.  Maybe you relate to the vulture who is self-conscious about wrinkles and ‘beak’ size or the warthog who has a big head and warts. Or you might think you are like the marabou stork who lives in a very modest dwelling. You might be comparing yourself to others who get more (positive) attention for their looks or lifestyle, the lions or flamingoes of the world, and feel you come up short.

Despite all their flaws ‘the ugly five’ find each other and form a safe, tight ugly crew. Friendship can take your mind off your own self-doubts and harsh comparisons, right?

Such a good and kind storyteller would not let that be the story.

We meet a group of animals who don’t see things the same way; they don’t see the ugliness. Instead, they see loveliness born of kindness, sacrifice, and care. **Spoiler** It’s their kids! This story will be very moving for many parents because the kids in this story tell their parents things that real children would just never say in real life. How loved they are and how recognised and needed their efforts have been. And that true beauty is not in outward appearances, it’s in the soul.