An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year excluded by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

When they are left in the woods by their parents, two children find their way home despite an encounter with a wicked witch.

"Retold in verse and accompanied by Caroline Pedler's evocative illustrations, this [Christmas carol] is a story to provoke thought about the meaning of Christmas and leave the reader with a warm Christmas glow."--Cover back.