Rating: 
Summary: Just a reaally nice book
Review: A terribly fun book about individuality. It's about a dad so worried about what other people think and say about how he raises his boy that, he tries to persuade his son Elmer to do 'masculine' things like play baseball instead of bake or paint. But not every boy likes to play baseball (nor every girl bake) and though an outcast Elmer stays true to himself and amazes everyone with his unique abilities and insights. It's a predictable but beautiful tale, written by an author experienced in being unique and being true to that uniqueness (brilliant actor, gay-rights-activist Harvey Fierstein). I find any book written form experience is a book worth reading, a book which speaks form the heart and 'The Sissy Duckling' is no exception. I would even go so far as to say that this book, like many other children's books'The Little Prince by St.Antoine and The Butterfly by Jay Singh'is written for adults. Absolutely. It has a lot to say to people from all walks of life. A great book to read to your kids, to discuss in class, or give to someone terribly original who might need a little pick-me-up! Very pleased with this book!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious! What more can I say?
Review: I don't remember the last time I read a children's book (or any book for that matter) that made me laugh so much! I felt like cheering for Elmer and applauding him at the end of the story. Fierstein's humor definitely permeated this book, in spite of some darker parts in the story (such as the father duck's comments about his son). However, although I believe in keeping children innocent for as long as possible, childhood is not a fairy tale for most kids. I see nothing wrong with introducing heavier topics, such as uncaring parents, little by little, even at young ages (heck, take a look at how scary some fairy tales and Disney movies can be). Actually, many children might be able to relate to having such a cruel parent or guardian. It's amazing the amount of darkness in stories even young children can handle. Also, I don't see anything wrong with using the word, "sissy" in a book if you stop and talk to your listeners about how "sissy" can be a mean word and hurt people's feelings. Besides, there are worse words Fierstein could have used than "sissy."
In terms of some kind of pro-homosexuality agenda, there is nothing related to sex or romantic relationships in this book. Elmer does not have a boyfriend. Also, to infer Elmer is homosexual because he likes to dress up in his mother's clothes is to stereotype. I have plenty of very straight, male friends who dressed up as women for Halloween. You can't call Elmer "gay" just because he plays dress-up.
I read this book to the kids at the day care I worked in one summer, and the children ages four and over (we had children from ages 2-11 there) paid the most attention. The elementary school-aged kids answered the questions I asked as I read the story. So the best age for this book seems to be kindergarten and above.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT QUITE RIGHT
Review: I feel rather bad giving this book only 3 stars. I find the
story enjoyable, even wonderful. And I love the
illustrations. My problem with the book stems from the fact
that the lesson to be learned comes from some sort of heroics on
the sissy duck's part. Within my extended family and within the family of my best friend
there are kids who are very different - one physically, one
mentally. The chances of their doing something really heroic is
as slim as it is for the rest of us. So will they be relegated
forever to be the butt of some kids' jokes and pranks on the
school grounds. Do they need to think less of themselves
because they cannot accomplish something very special that will
change the minds of the world about their right to an accepted
place in society. This is an extremely difficult subject, one that does not
appear to be coming even close to being resolved. But I do hope
that kids do not come away with the message that it is up to
them alone to solve the problem, and that if they fail, it is
all their fault.
Rating:
Summary: NOT QUITE RIGHT
Review: I feel rather bad giving this book only 3 stars. I find the
story enjoyable, even wonderful. And I love the
illustrations. My problem with the book stems from the fact
that the lesson to be learned comes from some sort of heroics on
the sissy duck's part. Within my extended family and within the family of my best friend
there are kids who are very different - one physically, one
mentally. The chances of their doing something really heroic is
as slim as it is for the rest of us. So will they be relegated
forever to be the butt of some kids' jokes and pranks on the
school grounds. Do they need to think less of themselves
because they cannot accomplish something very special that will
change the minds of the world about their right to an accepted
place in society. This is an extremely difficult subject, one that does not
appear to be coming even close to being resolved. But I do hope
that kids do not come away with the message that it is up to
them alone to solve the problem, and that if they fail, it is
all their fault.
Rating: 
Summary: Sissy Duck
Review: I find the word sissy to be a negative word. I have been a teacher for 15 years and do not feel that cooking, building sand castles and putting on puppet shows is anything sissy at all. Every child is unique and that is something to celebrate but not sissy. People that throw the word sissy around are wrong. It is name calling. He dedicates that book to all the proud sissies. Anyone that wears something totally wild anywhere is setting themselves up to be mocked. We all have common sense. Wake up people and recognize the gay agenda. My daughter brought this book home from Kindergarten and if you could see how the other ducks look at this little guy Elmer. They have extremely mean faces. Very unrealistic. Harvey is proud to be gay and that is fine but don't go pushing a gay agenda to my child under the cover of a cute duck book.
Rating:
Summary: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE PEOPLE!
Review: I guess I'm glad some "sissies" are loud and proud, but I have a problem with calling anyone a sissy. The book is amusing enough, but it leads to terrible stereotyping if children really take its message to heart. Basically, it says not only that it's okay to be gay (and I'm sure it is, because the media keeps telling me so), but then here's how you identify the gay people in your own neighborhood - boys who don't play sports well (or don't play at all), boys who dress up in mommy's clothing (as if mommy dresses in just frilly stuff these days), boys who like to cook (we would have starved in college if we hadn't figured out how to cook), et cetera et cetera. Oh, I get it - we're all sissies! Is that any way to treat your prospective customers, calling them sissies??? I think not. Quit calling me names, big-nose.
Rating:
Summary: maybe for older kids, not for 5 yr olds
Review: I wish I had this book when I was growing up. I wish the people I had to deal with had this book, too. Maybe then I wouldn't have had to deal with such grief. I was a sissy, the biggest sissy at my school. I had no interest in sports (and threw a ball like a girl), enjoyed dressing up in my mother's clothes, and played with Barbie dolls. And, yes, when adolescence reared its ugly head, I realized that I was a homosexual. Concern that sissy boys will become homosexuals seems to be the main reason sissies are bullied, and told to be more masculine. But the fact is it doesn't work. People are people, and some of us are sissies, and some of the sissies, and some of the non-sissies, will grow to be homosexuals. This book acknowledges that people are different, and our differences are what makes a world. This book is must reading for sissies, as well as the parents and teachers who deal with them.
Rating:
Summary: More Like the Sassy Duckling
Review: The Sissy Duckling is a fabulous children's book. I write this glowing review not just because I am a fan of the supremely talented actor and author, Harvey Fierstein, but because the book is genuinely good. The story of Elmer, the different, special ducking is unique. It is funny and touching. Anyone who has ever had a son that was different from the other boys, a son who preferred dress-up to football, baking to Pokemon, will appreciate this book. My son does not play football or rough and tumble sports. He would rather read about knights or pirates or Napoleon. He would rather dress up as a Ninja or King than kick a soccer ball. He is not like the other boys his age --- he is more sensitive and compassionate. He is fiercly loyal and terribly creative. If you have a unique, special little guy in your life, this is the book for him. Oh, and I like to think of Elmer as Sassy - willing to fly his own course - rather than Sissy.
Rating:
Summary: More Like the Sassy Duckling
Review: The Sissy Duckling is a fabulous children's book. I write this glowing review not just because I am a fan of the supremely talented actor and author, Harvey Fierstein, but because the book is genuinely good. The story of Elmer, the different, special ducking is unique. It is funny and touching. Anyone who has ever had a son that was different from the other boys, a son who preferred dress-up to football, baking to Pokemon, will appreciate this book. My son does not play football or rough and tumble sports. He would rather read about knights or pirates or Napoleon. He would rather dress up as a Ninja or King than kick a soccer ball. He is not like the other boys his age --- he is more sensitive and compassionate. He is fiercly loyal and terribly creative. If you have a unique, special little guy in your life, this is the book for him. Oh, and I like to think of Elmer as Sassy - willing to fly his own course - rather than Sissy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful children's book
Review: This book not only points out but celebrates the differences among people. It reminds so much of my frined Dan who also exlemplifies this spirit.
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