The Story of Ferdinand

Summary: This story is about a bull named Ferdinand who isn’t like all the other bulls. He would much rather sit under his favorite tree and smell the flowers instead of playing like all the other bulls. He is stung by a bee and is chosen to participate in a bull fight, which he does not want to be a part of. When he is released into the rink, he stops in the middle and simply smells the flowers.

Bib Info: Leaf, M. (1977). The story of Ferdinand. New York, NY: The Penguin Group.

Interest Level: K-3

Impression: This story leaves the impression that it is okay to be different from others. There is a twist to the story as Ferdinand accidentally gets chosen to be in a bull fight.

Reviews and Awards: Book Links 09/01/95, Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Child Study Children's Book, Committee 1995, Christian Library Journal 06/01/12, Horn Book, School Library Journal, Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Reviews: With infallible comprehension of childish feelings and a nice precision of detail, the Hobans tell what happens when Frances is allowed to try a permissive diet of bread and jam. The original two-color illustrations have been tastefully and attractively "recolored" so that the book is now illustrated in full color.
[Review of the book The story of Ferdinand, by M. Leaf]. (1993, September). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com/

A lively, simple, and playful translation makes this classic story of the misunderstood bull who'd rather smell flowers than stomp and snort an all-time favorite for sharing in Spanish as well as in English. Also published by Scholastic in 1990.
[Review of the book The story of Ferdinand, by M. Leaf]. (2001). Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html

Use in library setting: Younger students can be provided with a flower template. The students will draw a picture of their favorite thing inside of the template. They will then cut the flower out. The petals and stems can be pre-cut for students or an additional part of the project.