Rating: 
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST EVER
Review: So, I had this and read it to my children a thousand times. Then I spent six months in Andalucia, Spain and discovered this book is an accurate represenation of it. The illustrations actually appear to be Spain from Madrid to Andalucia, especially the Frontera, including Ronda and Vejer de la Frontera or Arcos de la Frontera. On top of that, the story of Ferdinand is about being who you are, and being at peace with yourself - whether it conforms to society's expectations or not. Subtly, and well, done. Beautiful pictures, beautiful story, peaceful theme. What more can you ask whether you are an innocent child or a world-weary adult? Worth buying and sharing with someone you love.
Rating:
Summary: A Taste of Spain, A Touch of Humanity
Review: So, I had this and read it to my children a thousand times. Then I spent six months in Andalucia, Spain and discovered this book is an accurate represenation of it. The illustrations actually appear to be Spain from Madrid to Andalucia, especially the Frontera, including Ronda and Vejer de la Frontera or Arcos de la Frontera. On top of that, the story of Ferdinand is about being who you are, and being at peace with yourself - whether it conforms to society's expectations or not. Subtly, and well, done. Beautiful pictures, beautiful story, peaceful theme. What more can you ask whether you are an innocent child or a world-weary adult? Worth buying and sharing with someone you love.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST EVER
Review: This book has been one of my favorites, if not my favorite for years. I did not discover it until after I saw Disney's short of the story about 20 years ago. Disney's short was made in the 50s or 60s, I think. Ferdinand is the most endearing character and a great messege to tell children that they don't have to follow the crowd to be happy and we can break the mold and be peaceful and non-violent. This is only part of the greatness of this book...the illustration are the absolutely most wonderful illustrations. Robert Lawson is a genius of catching the most adorable expressions and humourus faces. My daughter (3yrs) LOVES this book too. WE HIGHLY RECCOMMEND IT!
Rating:
Summary: Blessed are the peacemakers.
Review: This book is more than sixty years old. I remember hearing it as a small child in the early sixties, and even then it sounded strangely old-fashioned to me, as if it came from some sweet, gentle world that had not existed for a long time. But as a child I passionately loved that world, and this book that evoked its gentleness, and years later, when I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I bought for my son was not a blanket or a crib or a stuffed animal, but a copy of Ferdinand. It was the thing I loved most from my own childhood. Seventeen years later, I still think my priorities were right. And that seventeen year old has a six year old sister, so the book is still in use. Ferdinand has been around so long, I assume everybody knows the story, but in case you don't, here goes: Ferdinand is a gentle little bull in Spain. The other little bulls love to fight and dream of being chosen for the bullfights in Madrid. But by mistake, Ferdinand is sent to fight. The only problem is, he will not fight.. They lead him into the bullring, but he just sits there, smelling the flowers in the women's hair, and in the end there is nothing the matadors can do but take him home. I suppose people have been reading this book to children for more than sixty years in part because of its pacifist message. In essence, Ferdinand is the one who would not come when they gave a war. But for me that is just a small part of its appeal. Robert Lawson's absolutely perfect illustrations show a world that is often mean and ugly (the stupid expressions on the faces of the men who come to choose the bulls are classics), or else petty and foolish (check out the fussy clothes and snooty expressions of the matadors), but Ferdinand, always true to himself, is oblivious to this world, and just goes on living his own life in his own way. In the end that quality is a force that nothing can alter. Reading Ferdinand always leaves me believing that goodness is a powerful, unshakeable force. That is a message I find very comforting lately.
Rating:
Summary: Book for bonding
Review: This book was my mother's favorite when she was a child. No surprise, she gave our son a copy when he came home, at age four, from a foreign land. Despite a lack of English, he was enthralled by the story and pictures. And when Gramma sang the Ferdinand song to him, that clinched it. This book is very special in our house, and this review is dedicated to our son, who asked me to write it. Buy it, and bond with your kid, however he came into your family. Alyssa A. Lappen
Rating:
Summary: Happily ever after
Review: This is a classic children's story, beautifully illustrated, simple and unpretentious. Both children and adults will love the story of the unmotivated bull with the pollen habit.
Reading this aloud to your kids with the correct intonation is sure to raise giggles, one of the reasons it has been a favorite for so many generations.
What you DON'T know is what happened next......
1. The bumble bee died after taking on too much bull.
2. Ferdinand's mother named her next son "Killer" and encouraged him to hit his head as much as he liked.
3. Killer performed spectacularly at the bullfights, but was put out to pasture after he bit off the matador's ear.
4. The cork tree flourished, largely due to the daily fertilizer treatments.
5. Always a loner, Ferdinand never married, but got a job at the Spanish Botanical Gardens, in the cross pollination nursery.
Sadly, the sequel was never published due to lack of a publisher.
Enjoy book one as often as possible, because that's all you need, and that's all you're going to get.
Amanda Richards, December 4, 2004
Rating:
Summary: A loving and wonderflly illustrated story.
Review: This is a favorite of my youth that I now love to share with my 4-year-old son.
Rating:
Summary: Endearing and Unforgettable
Review: This simple tale of a mild-mannered bull who loves to smell flowers but ends up in a bull fight is an absolute treasure. Your child will love Ferdinand!
Rating:
Summary: An anti-violence classic
Review: This was one of my favorite books as a child, and is now my two-year-old's favorite story. While bullfighting may seem to be an inappropriate topic for a toddler, the message of the story is that Ferdinand does not want to fight and that's just fine. The best aspect of the book, however, are the pictures and the wonderful expressions of all the characters, from the ladies with flowers in ther hair to poor Ferdinand after he is stung by the bee. This story is great for all ages.
Rating:
Summary: Best Children's book ever
Review: This was one of my favorites growing up and now I make sure to give a copy to all of my friends that have babies. It teaches children valuable lessons about being happy with yourself even when you are different and that violence is not the best solution
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