The Story of Ferdinand.

LEAF, Munro. Illustrated By Robert Lawson.

Item Number: 95197

New York: The Viking Press, 1938.

Early printing of Munro Leaf’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, original half tan cloth, illustrated endpapers. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “M. Josephine Smith with all the very best wishes of Ferdinand and Munro Leaf.” Leaf has also drawn caricatures of the recipient, Ferdinand and himself. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a few chips. Illustrated by Robert Lawson. A nice example.

"This is perhaps one of the finest 20th-century examples of the inspired wedding of a text and illustrations to make a children’s book that as a whole is even greater than the sum of its parts-which are in themselves very fine indeed. The simple, delightful Leaf story about a Spanish bull who prefers the fragrance of flowers to the roar of the bull-ring is lovingly illustrated by Robert Lawson. The overworked word ‘classic’ is well deserved here. Children have adored The Story of Ferdinand ever since the book was published" (Early Children’s Books and Their Illustrations). Translated into over 60 languages, Munro Leaf's classic became a number one bestseller in 1938 and has never gone out of print since. Despite its beloved place in children's literature, the book was banned in many countries including Spain and Nazi Germany who denounced it as a pacifist work and 'democratic propaganda.' Following the 1945 defeat of Germany during the Second World War, 30,000 copies were published to be given to the children of Germany in an effort to encourage peace. The book was adapted by Walt Disney into the classic short animated film Ferdinand the Bull in 1938, and more recently into the feature-length computer animated film, Ferdinand, produced by 20th Century Fox Animation.