LoginMarch 2024 Notable Maryland Author - Munro Leaf Gave Us Ferdinand the Bull and Wee Gillis
Author: Munro Leaf
Genre: Children's Books
“Early on in my writing career I realized that if one found some truths worth telling they should be told to the young in terms that were understandable to them." Munro Leaf
Munro Leaf was born on December 4, 1905 in Hamilton, Maryland, but was raised in Washington, DC. He earned a BA from the University of Maryland in 1927, taught English at the Belmont Hill School in Boston a few years, earned a Masters in English Literature from Harvard University in 1931 and ended up working for the Frederick A. Stokes publishing company. It was there he developed an interest in writing and illustrating children’s book, something he did for 40 years.
His most famous work is The Story of Ferdinand (1936) which he wrote in one sitting. It tells the story of a large gentle bull on a farm in Spain who is stung by a bee. His violent reaction to the sting impresses a man looking to aggressive bulls for bull fighting. He happily buys Ferdinand who is sent to the ring, but won’t fight. He wants to smell flowers. The story ends with Ferdinand being taken back to his farm where he sits under the cork tree smelling flowers. The book sold 14,000 copies in 1936, 68,000 in 1937, and with 150,000 sold in 1938, beat Gone With the Wind as the top selling book in America. To date, the book has never been out of print. In 1939, his book Wee Gillis, was listed as a Caldecott Honor Book. The story tells of a boy living in Scotland halfway between his father's family in the Highlands and his mother's in the Lowlands.
Ferdinand’s release overlapped the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and because it was about a peaceful bull in Spain it was viewed by supporters of Dictator Francisco Franco as a pacifist book. It was banned in Spain and elsewhere. Leaf said he wrote the story on a whim in an afternoon in 1935 to give his friend and illustrator, Robert Lawson, a book to work on. The rest of the world loved Ferdinand and Disney won an academy award in 1938 for his animated version of the story.
Leaf put his talents to use for the federal government during WWII, when he and Ted Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) wrote This is Ann, a pamphlet taking personal actions to prevent the spread of malaria.
Leaf went on to write 25 books after his service in World War II. He died from cancer at age 71 (1976) in his home in Garrett Park, Maryland.
Genre: Children’s Books – Books written especially for children, usually classified by genre or the intended age of the reader. They also contain pictures or illustrations that complement the story..
Sample Reading List: How to Speak Politely and Why; The Story of Ferdinand, Wee Gillis, The Story of Simpson and Sampson; Four-And-Twenty Watchbirds; Sam and the Superdroop.
Fun With Words - Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA) invites you to have fun writing a children’s book like Munro Leaf. Using up to 100 words, write the beginning of a whimsical children’s story that identifies the main character and hints at the plot. In parenthesis add 10 additional words to describe the illustration that would go with the words you wrote. Title your work and submit to: https://marylandwriters.org/Notable_Maryland_Authors by the 22nd of the month to receive an MWA Fun With Words submission certificate. Selected responses will be published on the MWA Website.
The MWA is a 31-year-old state-wide association (501c3) dedicated to encouraging and mentoring Maryland writers, poets, playwrights, and authors. Go to www.MarylandWriters.org for more info.
Eric Waldow
Apr. 8, 2024Was Happy - Benny was a happy ant. He worked hard everyday and was glad to help his anty friends with anty-thing; and, of course, he was glad to be given his share of anty food in return for all his anty effort! But one day, poor Benny made a mistake:—Underneath his cozy leaf blanket, he didn’t wake up when he had to for his anty job. And a negligent ant is no ant indeed, at least according to the Queen! These days, Benny is seen skittering around by himself under the dandelions; maybe he should learn how to be a bee! [Illustration: Homelessness; maybe ant-cohol will be nicer than the colony….]
Carol Russell
Apr. 8, 2024Peanut Envy - Bernie the Brown Creeper lived in the woodlands of Fox Hollow. In the cold winter, he flew upland to the forest’s edge where humans lived. Birds and squirrels gathered there to eat from feeders hung outside the houses. Every morning, the flat top of a tree stump was layered with food: sunflower seeds on the bottom, chopped suet in the middle, and peanuts on top. Bernie watched from a pine tree. He wanted a peanut but was too shy to brave the bossy blue jays at the stump. Could he make a friend and find a way to get some peanuts? [Illustration: nuthatch, junco, finch, woodpecker, titmouse, chickadee, bluebird, leaves, snow, shrubs.]
Viola Robinson-Boone
Apr. 8, 2024The Magic Of Yellow - The class entered the bird sanctuary. Olivia hung back, frowning. “Olivia.” She looked around, curious. “Olivia.” Her eyes locked with Lucas, an American Goldfinch. Olivia froze when he winked at her. “Come here, sunshine.” Olivia moved closer to the cage. “Yellow is a lovely color. Bright, magical, and joyful.” “Yes. I love yellow.” Lucas giggled. “I know.” Wink. “Don’t frown. Smile, always. Yellow is enchanting. When you smile, others do, too. Your love of yellow is a gift. Use it to enlighten lives daily.” Lucas winked again, then flew to the other side of his cage. [Illustration: Goldfinch; Frowning Girl; Interior Bird sanctuary; Olivia*Lucas lock eyes.]
Lawrence McGuire
Apr. 8, 2024Snickering Behind Her Flipper - Jinna the Shy Monster of Lake Stirnot hated summer. In summer, sunburned amateur monster hunters surrounded her watery home. They crowded its shores, cameras ready to snap her picture. But this summer a professional monster hunter arrived at Lake Stirnot. From her hiding place among cat-tails, Jinna overheard his name: Sir Jervis Hetman Scroop. To the gathered amateurs, smelling of exhausted sunblock, Scroop said, "I alone will discover proof of the beast!" Scroop's boast worried Jinna. His was no empty brag. What if he took a clear photo of her? She might lose the peace of Lake Stirnot forever. [Illustration: An Elasmosaurus overhearing a photo safari hunter exciting a mob.]
Jon Hillbilly Anthology Ketzner
Apr. 8, 2024ELIASIA - Jonah loved visiting his grandparents’ cabin on Creek Lake. To Jonah, that lake seemed an ocean. He’d sit with his grandfather, Ahmed, and imagine a kingdom across the lake called Eliasia. One morning, Jonah awoke before his grandparents. He saw something on the lake. Forgetting grandparental warnings, Jonah banged the door, down to the pier. Paying no attention, Jonah tumbled into the water. Jonah couldn’t swim. He flailed and sank. With a whoosh, he was hauled from his fate onto a small galleon crewed by tiny adults. “Welcome aboard, Jonah. We sail now for Eliasia. You must save the Kingdom.” [Illustration: Small galleon sailing toward a lakeside pier at sunrise.]
Christine Hickey
Apr. 8, 2024ROXIE – A ROYAL RAVEN - Roxie knew she was special. As one of the six ravens selected as guardians for the Tower of London, she was truly honored. But Roxie imagined herself an entertainer. When she took her place at the Tower, she drew attention by falling over, pretending injury. She preened her feathers to look like a skirt or a cape. She hid her head under her wing and cried.Tourists loved her. A journalist wrote about Roxie’s antics. Crowds came to watch her, but the Raven Master was not pleased. The ravens must appear reserved. A talent agent for animals read the story and came to see Roxie perform. He gave Roxie an audition and quick as a wink she was on the London stage in “Ravens Tale.” [Illustration: Roxie, exaggerated feathers, on one leg, looking over shoulder, wearing hat stolen from tourist.]
Gary Gunnulfsen
Apr. 8, 2024Tea for Who? - Annie sat at her round tea table with her bestest friend, Mr. Whoseit. The table was set with the finest teacups, napkins, silver teapot, and crumpets ordered from Whoknowswhere. Mr. Whoseit was thirsty but must wait for their guests, Miss Whysit and Mr. Howscome. They arrived in their new ride, a classic Whatchamacallit. It was very fancy with bangits and clangles and toot horn. The tea party could begin. All were seated and things were fine until Mr. Whoseit noticed something swimming in his tea. It’s a Dunnowhatsitis. Now what do we do? [Illustration: All at table, Fanciful Clothes, wild hair, Mr. Whoseit staring at tea.]
Cindy Herndon
Apr. 7, 2024Adventures with Minnie and Max - Minnie was happy to be a dachshund…and she loved her best friend Max, a Great Dane. The two shared many adventures! One day both dogs saw a mouse scurry across the floor. Max tried to follow it but couldn’t fit under the sofa. Minnie could. Then the mouse ran under a chair. Max just stared and barked. Minnie smiled and chased the mouse. It ran down the hall, Minnie close behind. The mouse squeezed under the closet door. Minnie couldn’t go there. She was pooped. Max flopped down beside her and the two snuggled into a nap with exciting dreams. [Illustration: Great Dane cuddling a dachshund on a dog bed.]
Jim Coleman
Apr. 7, 2024The Adventures of Cheeseball and Quinn - "He looks like a big cheeseball, doesn't he, Quinn?" said Alex, putting the bright orange kitten down beside the puzzled dog. "That'll be his name…Cheeseball." Cheese and ball were Quinn's favorite things, but this was not cheese or ball. He thought it might make a good squeaky toy. He sniffed and snuffled at the kitten. Cheeseball wasn't about to become a squeaky toy. He frizzed up, turned sideways, raised to his full four-inch height, and hissed right in Quinn's face. Neither realized it, but this was the beginning of a long friendship and many wonderful adventures. [Illustration: Very surprised Jack Russell terrier; fuzzball of a cat pouncing.]
James Burd Brewster
Apr. 7, 2024Munk and Randy - “Got you!” Randy exclaimed. He swept the nut bag away and grabbed for the chipmunk behind it. The chipmunk raced to the far corner of the room. It stared at Randy, cheeks bulging with nuts. “You got no place to go,” Randy said. He stalked the chipmunk. “Doors, windows shut and locked.” The chipmunk jinked right and left to get past Randy, but then realized the futility of escape and backed itself into the corner. Pttt, Pttt, the chipmunk spit out seeds. “Plsss Srrr,” it mumbled. It spit out more seeds. “Pless Sir.” It spit more out. “Please Sir, I request sanctuary.” [Illustration: Chipmunk, in corner, spitting out seeds.]
Doris Brady
Apr. 7, 2024Oswald - There they were, all huddled together: Martin, the horse; Gertrude, the hen; Minni, the hedgehog; Ronald, the raccoon; and The Cat. Whispers abounded: “What is that creepy-looking thing perched on the fencepost,” asked Gertrude. “Very scary,” commented Minni. “Why don’t we ask it,” said Martin. Ronald was wishy-washy. The Cat boldly approached the fence and hopped up next to it. Without being asked, the barn owl introduced himself. “I’m Oswald and would like to join your group.” “Why,” asked The Cat. Oswald sighed. “I was hoping to find some interesting friends. It’s lonely in the woods.” And that’s how five became six. Adventures would ensue. [Illustration: The backs of a horse, hen, hedgehog, raccoon and cat all looking at a barn own on a fence post.]
Steve Baker
Apr. 7, 2024One For The Books - Mom explained to her daughter Erin: "Gramma-Nana can no longer remember like you and I can." Young Erin appropriately misunderstood this disease to be called "Old-Timers." Mom and Erin both felt compelled to do something for Gramma-Nana. Mom didn't know what to do but Erin sure did! Erin darted from the room and returned moments later with her "new" favorite book: 'The Story of Ferdinand' "I'm gonna read to Gramma-Nana!!!" Erin didn't realize that 'Ferdinand' had already been enjoyed by generations the world over. When Erin began reading, Gramma-Nana's eyes lit up: "Oh! I just love 'The Story of Ferdinand'!!" This puzzled Erin: "But how?" Tears streamed down Mom's face as she whispered: "Erin, please keep reading!” [Illustration: Child with book on lap reading to wheelchair-bound elder]