The Story of Ferdinand

The Story of Ferdinand (1936)
by Munro Leaf, illustrations by Robert Lawson

I never read this classic picture book as a child, so I don’t know that I would have picked it up for our baby girl had a friend not given it to us.  It instantly became one of my favorites!

This charming book tells the story of Ferdinand, a nature-loving, peaceful bull who accidentally ends up at the bull fight in Madrid.  The simple black-and-white illustrations are just delightful, and I love how Ferdinand is content to just be himself.  I’m so glad to have this picture book as part of our daughter’s library!

Apparently, this picture book was written in one afternoon, and it caused enough controversy to be banned from several countries including Spain, where the tale takes place.

The Story of Ferdinand (1936)