Rediscover: The Story of Ferdinand

Gift season for young readers forces prospective Santas to contend with a wide catalog of classic children's tales. How does one match Where the Wild Things Are against The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Age and taste, of course, but the breadth of new books below shows how deep, and how good, the kids' selection can be. Among so many gems, one comes in an unmistakable ruby cover: The Story of Ferdinand, written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson.

In Spain, young Ferdinand the bull takes time to stop and smell the flowers. He loves sitting under a cork tree and enjoying nature's scents, not so much the roughhousing of his fellow calves. As the bulls grow, Ferdinand becomes the biggest and strongest, sure to be a fighter--if only he weren't so peaceful. A misunderstanding gets Ferdinand shipped to Madrid, where he has a harrowing stint in the ring (with a sweet ending).

The Story of Ferdinand was released nine months before the start of the Spanish Civil War. In the midst of global catastrophe, the book became a major bestseller. Its delightful illustrations and enduring themes of peace and acceptance continue to pollinate from one generation to the next. The Story of Ferdinand is available from Grosset & Dunlap ($4.99, 9780448456942). --Tobias Mutter

Powered by: Xtenit