MODULE 2: The Story of Ferdinand

Book Cover Image:

Genre:

Classic Picture Books

Book Summary:

Ferdinand is not interested in playing with the other bulls; he just wants to sit under the shade tree and smell the flowers. His mother worries about him, but Ferdinand grows big and strong like the other bulls. When the men come to pick a bull for the bullfights in Madrid, Ferdinand goes to his shade tree, sure that they will find another bull for the event. However, Ferdinand unknowingly sits on a bee that sends him in to a bucking frenzy, dazzling the men who pick him for the bullfights. At the fights, everyone expects Ferdinand the Fierce, but he prefers to sit and smell the flowers in the ladies’ hair, so the men take him home.

APA Reference of Book:

Leaf, Munro. (1936.) The Story of Ferdinand. New York, NY: Gossett & Dunlap.

Impressions:

The Story of Ferdinand is a delightful read about the courage to follow your heart and be yourself. It also teaches readers that first impressions are not always accurate. The red book cover is fitting for a story about a bull, and the black and white illustrations are perfectly detailed and a sharp contrast to the cover. Ferdinand is a lovable character who is not afraid to be himself, even when faced with peer-pressure to join the other bulls in their typical bull activities. This is something that many readers can relate to and Ferdinand encourages them to follow their instincts even when you find yourself in the middle of a bullfight. Though she worries, Ferdinand’s mother is supportive of his choices. Her actions are a great reminder to parents to accept their children no matter what and encourage their differences and interests. Although written in 1936, this is a poignant story for anyone who does not fit societal norms.

Professional Review:

With new war fronts popping up on a seemingly daily basis, it may be an opportune moment to revisit the story of Ferdinand, the peaceable bull. Today marks the 75th anniversary of “The Story of Ferdinand,” written by Munro Leaf, a prolific writer for children, and illustrated by Robert Lawson, the only person ever to win both the Caldecott and Newbery medals.

“Once upon a time in Spain there was a little bull and his name was Ferdinand,” the book, which was illustrated with simple black-and-white ink drawings, opens. Deep in corrida des toros country, Ferdinand stood out from all the other bulls: “He liked to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.”

First published in 1936, “Ferdinand” was released shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and was widely viewed as pacifist propaganda, leading to bans in many countries. It became an international hit anyway, translated into more than 60 languages and selling millions of copies worldwide. When Sandra Bullock read the book aloud to her sons in “The Blind Side,” sales in the U.S., always steady, spiked dramatically. Last year, the actor Seth Rogan gave a live reading, set to music, in Los Angeles.

“Ferdinand” actually has a long cinematic history. In 1938, Walt Disney created a short animated cartoon of the story, which went on to win – deservedly – an Oscar for Best Animated Short Subject (Cartoons). And just last month, Fox Animation Studios acquired the rights to the book, with plans to adapt it into a full-length CGI film. Carlos Saldanha, the director of the “Ice Age” franchise, is attached to direct.

It’s not a stretch to think of Ferdinand as more than just a symbol of peace, but as an icon for the outsider and the bullied. “He was gentle and kind/ And his moo was refined/Which the rest of the bulls all resented,” goes the song “Ferdinand the Bull,” sung by “America’s sweethearts,” The Lennon Sisters, and later covered by Michael Feinstein, the acclaimed songwriter and singer, on his children’s album, “Pure Imagination.” “He knew how to tango/And dance the fandango/But he never learned how to fight.”

APA Reference of Professional Review:

Paul, P. (2011). Ferdinand the bull turns 75. Retrieved from https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/ferdinand-the-bull-turns-75/

Library Uses:

The Story of Ferdinand perfectly illustrates the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” and can be used in conjunction with a diversity unit or lesson on stereotypes.

Readalikes:

Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae – This is another book about a character who does not conform to the expectations within his peer group.

Duck! Rabbit! By Amy Krouse Rosenthal – Perhaps even more than The Story of Ferdinand, this story illustrates how things are not always as they appear at first glance, and when given another chance we may see things much differently.

The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone – “Lovable, furry old Grover” is a perfect example of self-acceptance as does not realize he is the monster. However, by the end of the book he accepts this fact, something the reader has known all along.