by Lindsay Totty

From The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson
Ferdinand the Bull, directed by Dick Rickard
Nominated by Alex Sanchez

cover detail: from 'The Story of Ferdinand
Illustration by Robert Lawson, courtesy Viking

Diversity on the hoof: Munro Leaf's tender-hearted Ferdinand

My favorite book as a boy went like this: While other bulls loved to fight and dreamed of being chosen for the bullring in Madrid, Ferdinand preferred to smell fields of flowers. When by mistake, he was put into the ring to fight, he wouldn't. He stubbornly sat there, smelling the flowers in the women's hair, until there was nothing to do but send him home.

Since the book's first publication in 1936, people have praised its message about being true to who you are, being an individual, and being at peace with yourself — whether you conform to others' expectations or not.

At times throughout my life (I'm now 50) when I've doubted myself or struggled with decisions that went contrary to what others said, I've remembered Ferdinand. His gently powerful example of individuality captivated me as a boy and continues to inspire me to this day.