Hitler is quoted as describing the book as 'degenerate democratic propaganda'. Described by some as subversive with a pacifist view (which challenged the facism that currenlty predominated Europe), 'Ferdinand' was banned in many countries including Spain and Germany. The book was published shortly before the Spanish Civil War. While Munro Leaf is an American author because of the timing, setting and main character, this work is thought to have a political agenda. As this title is well known, I want to talk about its background. Originally published in 1936, this work has been translated into more than 60 languages and has rarely been out of print. While I had heard about this work before, this is the first time that I have read it and I absolutely love it. 'This is the story of Ferdinand - a little bull who would rather sit and smell flowers than fight in the bullring.'

He sits in the middle of the bull ring failing to take heed of any of the provocations of the matador and others to fight. The children's book tells the story of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights.

The Story of Ferdinand (1936) is the best known work written by American author Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson.

A História de Ferdinando by Munro Leaf