Magical Colors
Open the app

Printable coloring story · Ages 2–5

The Ugly Duckling

The familiar story of a duckling who grows into a swan and finds where he belongs.

Dew hatches looking different, is excluded by the other ducklings, leaves the farmyard, and endures winter. When spring returns, he grows into a swan, joins the swans, and is welcomed at the pond.

A 10-page story to read, color, and keep

Read, color, learn

Ten little scenes to read and color.

Read one short sentence, color the scene, then pause for the little fact and question. The pages follow the story in order.

  1. 01Page 1
    Mother Duck waits beside a simple woven nest at the pond, with one large unhatched egg clearly remaining inside., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 1

    Mother Duck Waits by the Nest

    Mother Duck waits beside the nest while one large egg remains.

    Little fact

    Bird eggs have hard shells that protect growing chicks inside.

    Talk together: Can you find the one egg still in the nest?

  2. 02Page 2
    Mother Duck watches kindly as Dew, a fluffy different-looking duckling with a long oval bill, hatches from a cracked large egg in the nest., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 2

    The Last Egg Hatches

    The last egg cracks, and a different-looking duckling hatches.

    Little fact

    Many baby birds use a tiny egg tooth to help break the shell.

    Talk together: Who is coming out of the egg?

  3. 03Page 3
    Dew stands apart with a gentle face while two or three ordinary ducklings stay together and leave a clear space between them., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 3

    The Ducklings Notice Dew

    The other ducklings notice that Dew looks different and leave a space between them.

    Little fact

    Ducklings in one family can still have different shapes and feather colors.

    Talk together: Which duckling is standing apart?

  4. 04Page 4
    Dew walks calmly along an open path away from a small farmyard gate, with the farmyard behind him and open countryside ahead., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 4

    Dew Leaves the Farmyard

    After being excluded, Dew leaves the farmyard and wanders alone along the open path.

    Little fact

    Young birds explore new places by walking and using their wings.

    Talk together: Which way is Dew walking?

  5. 05Page 5
    Dew curls safely among tall reeds beside a quiet pond, with broad snow mounds and a simple winter bank showing the cold season., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 5

    Winter Comes

    Winter arrives, and Dew shelters by the pond reeds through a lonely cold season.

    Little fact

    Reeds grow at the edge of water and can make a sheltered place.

    Talk together: Where is Dew keeping warm?

  6. 06Page 6
    A noticeably larger young Dew stands beside the thawed pond and one broad spring flower, still clearly a duckling with his ribbon., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 6

    Spring Returns and Dew Grows

    Spring returns, and Dew grows into a larger, stronger young bird.

    Little fact

    As young birds mature, they grow new feathers and stronger bodies.

    Talk together: What changed when spring returned?

  7. 07Page 7
    Dew, still a fluffy young duckling, gazes from the bank toward two graceful long-necked swans gliding across the pond., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 7

    Dew Sees the Swans

    Dew sees graceful swans and wishes he could be like them.

    Little fact

    Swans have long necks and broad wings for life on the water.

    Talk together: Which birds does Dew admire?

  8. 08Page 8
    Dew leans over the pond as a large clear water reflection shows the same character grown into a graceful swan with a long neck and the ribbon., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 8

    A Swan in the Reflection

    Dew looks into the pond and discovers that he has grown into a swan.

    Little fact

    Still water can reflect shapes like a mirror.

    Talk together: What does Dew see in the pond?

  9. 09Page 9
    Dew, now a graceful young swan wearing the ribbon, swims happily beside two welcoming swans on one peaceful pond., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 9

    Dew Joins the Swans

    Dew swims with the swans and joins their peaceful flock.

    Little fact

    Swans use their webbed feet to push through the water.

    Talk together: Who is Dew swimming beside?

  10. 10Page 10
    Dew, a graceful young swan with his ribbon, swims between two close swans while two kind children wave from the pond bank., printable black-and-white coloring page

    Page 10

    Dew Belongs

    The swans and two kind children welcome Dew, and he finally belongs.

    Little fact

    Swans often stay close together on calm water.

    Talk together: Who is waving to welcome Dew?

Free story book

Print the whole story for a coloring afternoon.

Download all 10 uncolored pages, then read each tiny fact as your child colors from beginning to end.

10 pages · free PDF
Paper size
Page layout
Book language

The cover and picture titles use this language. Some existing prompts and hints teach English and remain in English; read them under “Choose for each picture” before printing.

Magical Colors app icon

A little more room to create

Bring the coloring moment into Magical Colors.

Pick a picture, color with forgiving tools, hear the object name, and keep progress on the device.

500+ ad-free pagesCalm & safe for little handsWorks offline
Download on theApp Store