In 1999, actor-writer Harvy Fierstein created Elmer, a lovable, but different duckling, turning his adventures among the flock into an HBO animated special entitled "The Sissy Duckling." In May, 2002, Simon and Schuster releases a children's book based on the cartoon.

In "The Sissy Duckling," Elmer is mocked by his fellow ducklings for being artistically inclined and hopeless at baseball. His father forces him to play anyway and Elmer runs away from home. When his father is shot by a hunter, however, Elmer is the only duck brave enough to face the winter and help his father recover. In the end, everyone understands that even though Elmer is a big sissy, he should be proud of who he is and what he can do.

Fierstein is currently starring as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray set to make its world premiere May 30 in Seattle. An author as well as actor, he penned Torch Song Trilogy and the book to Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles.

"The Sissy Duckling" retails at $16. For more information, visit http://www.simonandschuster.com.