The Story of Ferdinand
By Munro Leaf
The Story
A gentle young bull would rather sit under his favorite cork tree smelling flowers than snort and butt heads like the others — until a mix-up sends him to the bullring in Madrid.
Why It's Special
For the kid who'd rather watch clouds than join the roughhousing, Ferdinand is proof that quiet is its own kind of strength.
- Big idea: Being true to yourself matters more than doing what everyone expects you to do.
- Vibes: Calm, gentle, quietly funny, and a little wry.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on feeling okay about being different from the group
- enjoy quiet, gentle stories over loud, silly ones
- like to talk about their own favorite calm spots
- respond well to simple pen-and-ink illustrations with lots to notice
Ask Your Little Reader
- Character & personality: What does Ferdinand like to do under his favorite cork tree?
- Compare & contrast: How is Ferdinand different from the other bulls who snort and butt heads?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Ferdinand felt when he was sent to Madrid instead of staying under his tree?
- Real-life connection: What's your favorite quiet place to sit, just like Ferdinand and his tree?
- Imagination: If you were a bull like Ferdinand, would you rather smell flowers or run and play with the herd?
