Module 2: The Story of Ferdinand

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Book Cover Image:

 

Book Summary:

The Story of Ferdinand tells the tale of Ferdinand, a young bull who enjoys smelling the flowers under a cork tree rather than butting heads with the other bulls.  One day, five men arrive to select the strongest and fiercest bull for the coveted honor of participating in the bull fights in Madrid.  Ferdinand has no intention of taking part in the contest to be chosen, but when he accidentally sits on a bee, his wild behavior convinces the men that they have found their bull.  Ferdinand is carted away to the bull fight, where his size intimidates the matador, the banderilleros, and the picadores, and convinces the crowd that he will fight fiercely.  Instead, Ferdinand sits in the center of the bull fighting ring and smells the flowers present in all the ladies' hair.  No matter how upset the matador and others got, no matter what they did, Ferdinand would not fight and so he was returned to his home where he could spend his days just smelling the flowers.

APA Reference of Book:

Leaf, M. (1936). The story of Ferdinand. New York: Viking Press.

Impressions:

The Story of Ferdinand is a beautifully illustrated story that can’t help but bring a smile to the reader’s face.  It’s strange to think of a bull as having distinctive facial expressions, but illustrator Robert Lawson’s black ink drawings perfectly capture Ferdinand’s expression of bliss as he smells the flowers and his wild eyed panic after sitting on the disgruntled bee.  The Story of Ferdinand also conveys two important messages: that being different from the herd is just fine, and joy can be found in life’s simple pleasures (like smelling flowers).  Children will enjoy miming smelling the flowers as the story is read aloud, and laugh at the image of the matador crying while Ferdinand sits happily in the bull ring just smelling the flowers.  Additionally, I recommend viewing Disney’s adaptation, Ferdinand the Bull, which brings this story to animated life.

Professional Review:

Children's Literature

“For seventy-five years Ferdinand has be quietly sitting under his cork tree smelling the flowers. This slip-covered 75th anniversary edition will introduce the loveable pacifist to a new generation of children. Little ones will giggle when the docile Ferdinand is stung by the bee and becomes the ferocious bull that everyone hopes will draw a crowd to the bullfighting ring. On the big day anticipation reigns as the banderillos march in followed by the picadores and finally the matador, himself. At last the timid Ferdinand quietly makes his way to the middle of the ring where he just sits and smells the ladies' flowers. Returned in shame to his home, Ferdinand is happy to sit beneath his cork tree for the rest of his days. This edition retains the size and font of the original and Lawson's simple pen and ink drawing still retain their excitement, drama, and humor. Here is a winner and a classic that does not show its age.”—Beverly Fahey

Fahey, B. (2011). [Review of the book The story of Ferdinand, by M. Leaf]. Children’s Literature.
      Retrieved from http://www.clcd.com/

Library Uses: 

Elementary School Library

The Story of Ferdinand, can be read by the school librarian in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th- October 15th). Students can be taught the Spanish translations for some of the simpler words in the story, like "el toro" for bull and "las flores" for flowers. Then the story can be read a second time, substituting the Spanish words for the English ones.  A possible craft project would be to have students create a happiness flower.  Each student would receive a flower template printed on cardstock.  On the flower, they would draw and/or list activities that make them happy, just like smelling the flowers made Ferdinand happy.