What's It All About?
Ferdinand isn't like all the other bulls. When other bulls wanted to run and jump, he just wanted to sit and smell the flowers. So he does until one day a bumblebee swoops in and changes his plans. He goes from sniffing the flowers to becoming the most feared bull in the Madrid bullfights.
What'd I Think?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Story of Ferdinand. Ferdinand is a sweet, misunderstood bull. all he wants is to be able to enjoy the flowers instead of going out facing down the Matador like all the other bulls. In the end, even though he ends up where he thought he never would, he stays true to himself and continues doing what he has always wanted. It has a very positive message for those who may already feel like an outsider.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars!
What'd They Think?
Booklist -
Ages 5-8. In this classic and well-loved tale the bull, Ferdinand, would rather smell the flowers than fight in the bullring.
Staff. (1987). The Story of Ferdinand. Booklist, 83(15). Retrieved from http://booksinprint.com/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|290679|32582301&mc=USA#
School Library Journal -
School Library Journal -
Top 100 Picture Books #17: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson!
"In any case, this is a lovely banned book to place on the list. Banned by whom? Oh, nobody much. Just a fellow by the name of Adolf Hitler. You see it was published during the Spanish civil war, Franco banned it in Spain, and then Hitler goes and calls it “degenerate democratic propaganda.” 100 Best Books for Children does say that it had its admirers as well, though. “Thomas Mann, H.G. Wells, Gandhi, and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.” So, to sum up. Hitler hated it and Gandhi loved it. That’s a fine pedigree for this list, I should think."
What Do I Do With It?
Students can celebrate the culture of Spain with a day of traditional Spanish games, foods, and traditions. They can talk about the differences between the Spanish culture and their own. This will help teach them to appreciate and celebrate things that may be different than what they are used to.
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