The Ugly Duckling Tale of the little swan, growing up in the yard with geese and suffers much cruelty, before being joined by a swan family. The famous and much-loved Danish author Hans Christian Andersen celebrated his 200 anniversary the year 2005. On this occasion we have published five of his best tales retold for children aged 3-9 years and with new illustrations: Tinderbox, The Little Match Girl, The Nightingale, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Ugly Duckling. Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Ugly Duckling in 1844.