This book is about a little duck that is different from the other male ducks in the flock. Although his mother is very accepting of him, it took his father some time to get to know the duckling. His friends were not so nice at first either. Reading this story had me very emotional. Luckily, it ended on a good note, but the beginning was sad. Elmer was a nice friendly duck, but the others were mean to him because he didn't have the same interests as they did. I like how the author used the title that is similar to The Ugly Duckling, which is really the same story. The illustrations were colorful and inviting. Through the rough times fitting in, Elmer stays pretty happy. He doesn't understand why his friends and father are calling him names and he worries about their feelings more than his own. He wants his mama and papa to be happy even if that means leaving them. ( )

The Sissy Duckling has been challenged for having gay positive themes. With more and more children and young adults today realizing earlier about who they are attracted to, I think more books should have gay positive themes. Elmer is a duck who likes to back and decorate cookies, and help around the house, but realized there were no other boy ducks who liked what he liked doing. His father is more worried about how others will see him then about his sons feelings when he calls Elmer a sissy. He was also bullied at school for being a sissy. I think this book is important because many kids have to go through bullying for being different, and the bullying sometimes even comes from their own parents. Children and read this and realize they are not alone. In the end Elmer saw his poppa wounded, just like he had been different through out the book, Elmer differed from the norm of flying away and stayed with poppa and brought him to safety. Poppa and Elmer were able to spend all winter together and learn more about each other. Elmer was cheered for his bravery and courage to save his poppa and stay in the forest during the winter. He realized if he was a sissy, he was going to be proud of it. By not changing who he was as a duck, he helped other ducks to accept him for him also. ( )

Well I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Sure it's a little too earnest to be perfect... but we don't live in a perfect world and stories like this are, unfortunately, still necessary.  My biggest problem is not with the tiny bit about reclaiming the word 'sissy' as a label of pride, but is about Mama Duck always wearing an apron.... ( )

This book is so sad! It's really about relationships with people who have different expectations. Mom says, "You are special, Elmer, and being special sometimes scares people who are not." ( )

The Sissy Duckling about a young boy named Elmer who is presumed to be homosexual, although the book didn't explicitly state it. Instead, the author portrays Elmer as a boy who is bullied for being different. The children at Elmer's school begins to call him a sissy, as well as his father. Mama says, "Sissy is a cruel way of saying that you can't do things the way others think you should". Elmer is portrayed doing things that are associated with females. He bakes, plays with girls, puts on puppet shows, and cheers instead of participating in sports. Everyone teases Elmer about being different. In the end, Elmer saved his father after he was shot. He nursed his father back to health and they bonded. The father now looks at Elmer as more than a Sissy and he finally stands up for his son. The other ducks finally except Elmer as well. The books covered many controversial topics such as bullying, homosexuality, gender roles, and acceptance. ( )