The Story of Ferdinand

by Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The timeless classic of a young boy and the bulls he refuses to fight, The Story of Ferdinand is still inspiring young readers. Now as a board book with added color and tones, it’s even more engaging than ever before.

A true classic with a timeless message, The Story of Ferdinand has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936. All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when our pacifist hero is picked for the bullfights in Madrid? This new edition contains the complete original text of the story and the original illustrations with watercolor tones added.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780670674244
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	01/01/1936
Pages:	72
Sales rank:	35,280
Product dimensions:	7.67(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	AD760L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Wilbur Monroe Leaf (aka Munro Leaf) (1905–1976) was an American author of children's literature who wrote and illustrated many books during his long career. His books were illustrated by a number of famous artists, including  Ludwig Bemelmans, Robert Lawson, and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). He is best known for The Story of Ferdinand (1936).
 
Robert Lawson (1892–1957) received his art training at the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts. His favorite medium, pen and ink, is used expressively and with detail in his black and white illustrations in The Story of Ferdinand (by Munro Leaf). In addition to illustrating many children's books, including Mr. Popper's Penguins, Robert Lawson also wrote and illustrated a number of his own books for children. In 1940, he was awarded the Caldecott Medal for his picture book illustrations in They Were Strong and Good and in 1944, he was awarded the Newbery Medal for his middle grade novel Rabbit Hill.

Editorial Reviews

Ferdinand, peaceful bull who loves to sit and smell flowers, is mistakenly carted off to a bullfight in Madrid, where he is believed to be the fiercest bull around. Ferdinand trots into the ring, only to sit and smell the flowers in the ladies hair. No matter what the frustrated matador and his helpers do, they cannot get Ferdinand to fight. Lawson's memorable black-and-white pictures speak volumes in this childhood classic.

Barnes & Noble Staff

With a gentle Spanish accent and leisurely pacing, narrator Brian Amador lends just the right ambiance to the classic tale of Ferdinand, the young bull who has absolutely no interest in bullfighting. Just as Ferdinand moves at an unhurried pace, so, too, does Amador. Phrases are drawn out, and long pauses are offered between moments in the story, which are perfect for reflecting or for poring over the illustrations, should the book be at hand. The names of the bullfighters—picadores, banderilleros, and matador—roll off Amador’s tongue. Angel Pineda narrates additional words from the book's artwork, and the production includes background sounds such as the lowing of animals and the humming of insects. Even when one already knows what happens when the bee stings, listening to this recording is a pleasure. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2017 - AudioFile

With a gentle Spanish accent and leisurely pacing, narrator Brian Amador lends just the right ambiance to the classic tale of Ferdinand, the young bull who has absolutely no interest in bullfighting. Just as Ferdinand moves at an unhurried pace, so, too, does Amador. Phrases are drawn out, and long pauses are offered between moments in the story, which are perfect for reflecting or for poring over the illustrations, should the book be at hand. The names of the bullfighters—picadores, banderilleros, and matador—roll off Amador’s tongue. Angel Pineda narrates additional words from the book's artwork, and the production includes background sounds such as the lowing of animals and the humming of insects. Even when one already knows what happens when the bee stings, listening to this recording is a pleasure. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2017 - AudioFile