New Releases by Munro Leaf

A true classic with a timeless message! All the other bulls run, jump, and butt their heads together in fights. Ferdinand, on the other hand, would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when Ferdinand is picked for the bullfights in Madrid? The Story of Ferdinand has inspired, enchanted, and provoked readers ever since it was first published in 1936 for its message of nonviolence and pacifism. In WWII times, Adolf Hitler ordered the book burned in Nazi Germany, while Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, granted it privileged status as the only non-communist children''s book allowed in Poland. The preeminent leader of Indian nationalism and civil rights, Mahatma Gandhi—whose nonviolent and pacifistic practices went on to inspire Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.—even called it his favorite book. The story was adapted by Walt Disney into a short animated film entitled Ferdinand the Bull in 1938. Ferdinand the Bull won the 1938 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons).

Originally published in 1943 as: Health can be fun.

Updated for the 21st century, How to Speak Politely and Why is a picture book with a point: proper speech and good grammar without nagging. It aims to remove “ain’t” and “uh-huh” and “gimme” and “got” and a score of unfortunate nuances by a simple, sure painless and humorous process. In his signature style of amusing stick figure drawings and captions, Leaf makes clear such things as the difference between can and may, and the reason why one does not say “he done it” or “she come.” Exasperated parents (and grandparents) faced with the unpleasant task of dealing with grammatical lapses acquired by their children from (gasp!) their neighbor’s children will be delighted (and relieved) by this veritable “grammar without tears.” Teachers will find it an indispensable ally, and even the culprits themselves—the children—will discover that learning to speak politely and correctly isn’t such a chore after all.

Stick figure drawings and a brief text tell why good manners are important and how to have good manners at home, at play, and on visits.

First published in 1946, this guide gives touchingly sincere yet gently funny lessons in honesty, fairness, strength, and wisdom. Originally intended for the very young, this is a true classic, charmingly illustrated with childlike drawings, and with a timeless message.

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

The fact that two royal brothers look alike but behave like mirror images nearly pushes them into a confused and pointless joust.

Photographs and text point out the ways in which man''s careless disposal of trash is spoiling the environment.

Wee Gillis couldn''t decide whether he wanted to be a Highlander and stalk stags, like his father, or a Lowlander like his mother, and raise long-haired cows.

Leads the young reader through simple facts that explain why reading is necessary and can be fun.

An illustrated collection of 101 fables first told by the Greek slave Aesop.

An introduction to some of the basic concepts and responsibilities of citizenship--laws are made for the good of the majority and must be followed, people vote for specific laws or to elect leaders, taxes are paid to support people who work for all of us, like the firemen and policemen.