The Story of Ferdinand

( 59 )

Overview

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.

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Overview

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.

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
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.
Children's Literature
First published in 1936, this reissue has been updated by adding watercolors to its previously black-and-white illustrations. Set in Spain, it is about a young bull named Ferdinand. All bulls in Spain aspire to one day fight in the ring with a matador. But not Ferdinand. All day long the young bulls play at fighting in hopes that one day they will be strong enough to be chosen for the bullfights. But Ferdinand prefers to quietly sit in the pasture and enjoy his surroundings. When the bulls all mature, they long to be selected for the bullring...all but Ferdinand. As the other bulls prance and preen, hoping to be selected, Ferdinand ignores the commotion. Suddenly, Ferdinand is stung by a bumblebee. He bellows and dances around like crazy. The matadors are so impressed with his machismo they select him as the strongest bull. He is praised all around for his power, until the day of the bullfight. Poor Ferdinand just sits there. The matadors prod and coax with no luck. Ferdinand is not interested in fighting. Ferdinand is returned to his pasture to live out his life in solitude. This traditional tale is a joy to revisit, as a bit of Spanish culture is shared. It is also a nice lesson for youngsters¾it is not necessary to following the crowd. One in a series of "Reading Railroad Books". 2000 (orig. 1936), Grosset & Dunlap, $3.49. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780670674244
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 1/28/1936
  • Pages: 72
  • Sales rank: 1345
  • Age range: 3 - 5 Years
  • Product dimensions: 7.63 (w) x 9.13 (h) x 0.44 (d)

Meet the Author

Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson have collectively written and illustrated more than 40 acclaimed children's books.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 59 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(41)

4 Star

(7)

3 Star

(4)

2 Star

(6)

1 Star

(1)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 59 Customer Reviews
  • Posted Tue May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    Great Book!

    Both of my boys, ages 5 and 3, loved this story!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon May 11 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    The Story of Ferdinand

    I read and loved this book as a child and remembered that the illustrations were enchanting. Decided to purchase it as an adult in case any kids come over, and realized I love it as much as years ago. The illustrations are wonderful and entertaining, and everyone can love the mild mannered, flower sniffing Ferdinand.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sun May 30 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    CLASSIC!

    What can I say but a classic must have book. Brings back happy childhood memories and my nephews love it as well.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2013

    This has quickly become my four year-old son's favorite bedtime

    This has quickly become my four year-old son's favorite bedtime story. It is a beautiful story with engaging illustrations.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 12 00:00:00 EST 2013

    I loved, loved, loved this story.  And I think I know why I felt

    I loved, loved, loved this story.  And I think I know why I felt so odd growing up.  I'm like Ferdinand the bull :-)

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  • Posted Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    Wonderful Story

    My girls love this book about being yourself. It's a classic

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  • Posted Fri Apr 22 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    A Family Favorite

    I had this book as a child and loved it. It is almost impossible not to love Ferdinand. I purchased it for my son and he loved it, too. Now my grandson has a copy and needless to say there is another generation that has fallen in love with Ferdinand. It is a great book for young and young at heart.

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  • Posted Wed May 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    This story is being passed on to another generation

    I use to read this book to my oldest daughter. Much to my surprise, she asked me to get this book for her. I was happy to get this book for my soon to arrive granddaughter! I hope she will love this book as much as her mom did!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed May 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    So glad I bought this book!

    I'm so glad I bought this book! There is a reference made on this book in the movie "The Blind Side" and I didn't recognize the title so I went to get it at our local B&N. It was not in stock and so I ordered it (which is something I never do). I am so glad I did; this book is adorable. There is such a wonderful lesson for kids and for everyone really in this story about being yourself and being happy. Buy this book for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, teacher...it's sure to be a keeper to add to anyone's favorite book rack.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed May 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    The Story of Ferdinand

    A childhood favorite of mine, we've continued the tradition and read this nightly.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    Unfortunately, not what I'd hoped

    I purchased the above prior to taking my grandchildren to a performance of "Ferdinand" at our local Children's Theater at the Arkansas Arts Center.
    The story and the illustrations we the original and portrayed the people in the old stereotype of "lazy, smoking Mexicans with barely any socially redeeming qualities.
    I did not read it to them nor did I share the illustations.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Too graphic

    This book was mentioned in the movie Blindside. I thought it would be a great classic book for my 4 year old grandson. When I received the book, I read it and thought the description of the bullfight was way to graphic for a 4 year old so I decided not to give it to him. The good part was that I took it to the Barnes and Noble store where I shop and they let me return it there instead of sending it back.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Ferdinand feels OK in his own skin

    Ferdinand is a bull who feels great in his own skin. He enjoys just daydreaming and smelling the flowers. He does not fight like the other bulls. His mother is OK with that and so is Ferdinand. This is a great story for children who may need to know it's OK to be different. It's just a great story in general, my son loves it.

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  • Posted Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2010

    A GREAT CHILDREN'S STORY

    The Story of Ferdinand is one of the great children's stories. It not only shows that being peaceful is good, but that you can be peaceful and strong at the same time. Very charming as well as thought-provoking.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Hole' Toro!

    Excellent storyline for children. And grownups also, I don't mind saying. Adults also need to know about turning the other cheek!!!

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  • Posted Wed Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2009

    An all-time favorite

    This book is so terrific on so many levels from the illustrations, especially the cork tree, to the philosophy. The book celebrates being different and being non-violent, and there is also praise for an understanding mother. Best of all, even really little kids love it. The book has a wonderful rhythm when read out loud.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2009

    It is still a great read and I am now 70.

    I remember the story not as well as I remember the illustrations. The matadors in the suits and what to me was strage hats. I particularly loved the saggy stockings and hairy legs. This was the first book I learned to read. Actually, I made people read it to me so often I had it memorized, and I could tell if they missed a word or a sentence in their hurry to get done. That meant hey had to start over from the beginning. I was an obnoxious child, but I could a great book when I heard it

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  • Posted Sat Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    more from this reviewer

    What a wonderfull Bull...

    My son (5.5 years old) loved this book. And he was able to read by himself.. It is good for beginner and great story about Ferdinand the Bull

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  • Posted Sat May 02 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    Nostalgic. . .

    This was my favorite book to check out from the library when I was in first grade. I remember the school librarian explaining to me that I couldn't get the same book every week! I'm excited it's still in print; I'm going to read it to my 2 yr. old son. Maybe it will become his favorite, too.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2009

    Ferdinand, the bull who preferred not to roughhouse

    My 4-year-old, who likes to roughhouse, likes this book, and so do I (!) because it lets him know it is OK not to roughhouse all the time! We read it frequently - he seems drawn to the interactions between the characters. The illustrations are charming.

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