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Still a great story for kids to enjoy -- and especially with their grandparents who knew it when. I was delighted to discover the book still in print, and still cherished by today's youngsters. I remember mine from my childhood, when the book was first published, and am so pleased to have a copy again.
The author makes Ferdinand a very sympathetic character, and we worry for him as he is dragged to the bullfights, and are relieved when all ends happily. He doesn't care to fight, and instead prefers to smell the flowers. My kids loved this story but you might have to think about whether you are ready to introduce the idea of bull fighting to your children. Another great book with the theme of diversity. Ferdinand the bull just isn't like the other bulls.
Beautiful artwork. I loved this book as a child, and the 7 year old i just read it to loved it too. It is funny and cute, even as it deftly explores the complex issue of being who you want to be, and not what others expect you to be in a way that connects with children.
I like the part about the understanding mother too. I believe that there is too much "scheduled" time in a child's life these days, and Ferdinand tells us how we can also be happy just taking time to relax and smell the flowers. This is a book I remember from my childhood and I think my granddaughter will enjoy reading it along with the audio CD. What a great adjunct to the book.
We then bought the original version, and I am much happier with it. Also, some of the drawings were left out, and the font was horrible. I loved this book as a kid, and my daughter loves it now. We first checked it out at the library, and they had a "colorized" version in which the original, fabulously detailed black-and-white drawings were (sloppily) painted with watercolors.
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