Module 2 - The Story of Ferdinand

Summary
Ferdinand is a young bull born to fight. However, he has other plans. He loves to sit and smell the flowers and relax in the sun. As time passes and he grows older, it is time for him and his friends to be selected for the bullfights. Ferdinand does not want be selected. While trying to sit and relax, he sits on a bee. The men selecting the bulls for the fight can’t help but notice Ferdinand and his excited reaction to the bee sting. Ferdinand is brought into the ring.  Instead of being enraged and aggressive, Ferdinand just sits and smells all the roses that the lovely ladies were wearing in their hair.

 

Impressions

My impressions of this book are that it can be used a for a wider age range of students than just kindergarten through third grade.  The story of the book is being true to oneself and to your beliefs. Growing up is very difficult in a simple books like this could help even middle school students understand how to believe in yourself and stand up for yourself.

 Reviews

THE STORY OF FERDINAND This has an irresistible appeal to the sense of the ridiculous. The story in text and pictures of a bull that was so mild that he preferred to smell the flowers and of how he came to the bull ring and sniffed the ladies' perfume instead of providing sport for the audience. Drawings by Robert Lawson. The most original and amusing thing Leaf has done.

The story of Ferdinand.  (September 11, 1936).  Kirkus Reviews.  Retrieved from:  http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/munro-leaf2/the-story-of-ferdinand/#review

THE STORY OF FERDINAND has been around for more than half a century for a reason: It's the story of a sweetly mannered bull that prefers peace to fighting, and the scent of flowers over the smell of victory. Munro Leaf's unforgettable words and Robert Lawson's ability to reveal, with simple pen-and-ink strokes, Ferdinand's soft-heartedness make this story a classic.

One 5-year-old reader was disturbed when the bullfighters brandished darts, long spears, and a sword to stick Ferdinand and made him "mad and madder." But he quickly found a smile when Ferdinand dismissed the fight for his favorite pastime -- sniffing flowers displayed in the hairdos of the "lovely ladies." The story shows readers that they must choose their own path, despite what others may say or think.

Fitzgerald, Susan. (n.d.) The story of Ferdinand.  Commonsense Media.  Retrieved from: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/story-ferdinand

Suggestions

I like to use this good in a middle school setting for discussion on self-actualization. Even though the book is intended for much younger audience I think using it is a simple and interesting way to open discussion on confidence for middle school students and how they can remain true to themselves.

Students can also use this book to develop their own storylines concerning competence and being true to one’s own nature.

References

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8f/The_Story_of_Ferdinand.jpg/280px-

Leaf, M. (1936). The story of ferdinand. New York: Viking Press.