The Story of Ferdinand Family Dinner Book Club

August is a busy month for many families as kids prepare to start school.  So, we have a picture book this month that addresses an important topic of staying true to yourself.  This month, Family Dinner Book Club  features The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.

Before we get to all the yummy details, we have a special announcement about the 2017 Family Dinner Book Club.  Next year, we are traveling the world!  Around the World Family Dinner Book Club will transport families to different countries through books and cuisine.  And, we want to know which countries you would like to “travel” to with us.  Please take this short survey to let us know.  Our 2017 line-up will be announced in November.

Now on to this month’s book club details. We have lots of ideas to plan your menu, make table decoration crafts, have great conversations about the book and complete a family service project. We have thought of everything you need!  So, get a copy of the book and join in on the fun.

Full Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.

New to Family Dinner Book Club? Here is a little background… Family Dinner Book Club is a monthly book club for your family.  On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.  Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the book. Laura from Sunny Day Family shares easy table crafts.  And, I will share conversation starters and a service project for your family.

We invite you to share a picture from your dinner with us anytime during the month on our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.  Plus, you will want to follow along there for more bonus ideas to use with the books each month.

Now, on to all of the details!

The Story of Ferdinand

The Book

The Story of Ferdinandis written by Munro Leaf. Ferdinand is the most peaceful bull you will meet. He loves to sit and sniff the flowers under his favorite tree. Five men encounter him and are under the impression he is the meanest bull of all and take him to a bullfight. But, Ferdinand holds to his pacifist ways and refuses to fight in the ring. It’s a classic that has been enjoyed by many generations.

Topics

Here are six conversation starters to get your dinner book club rolling.  Just click on this link (Ferdinand Table Topics) for a one-page file that you can print and then cut apart.  Use the cards on your chosen dinner night.  You, of course, don’t have to use all of them or you may even have some other discussion points that developed while you were reading.  These are just meant to be a guide.  Enjoy your dinner conversation!

• This story takes place in Spain.  Find the country on a map.  Where do you live in relation to Spain?
• Ferdinand finds something he enjoys. What do you enjoy doing?
• What happens when Ferdinand enters the ring? Why does he refuse to fight?
• Have you ever wanted to do something different from the rest of your friends?  What did you do and how did you handle it?
• Can we tell what someone is thinking just by watching his/her actions or behavior?
• Is fighting ever the right thing to do? Why?

Family Service Project

We could all benefit from a little more peace in the world.  This month plant seeds of peace for others to discover and savor.

As a family, generate words that evoke a sense of peace.  Here are a few that come to mind for me- mindfulness, calm, breathe, and love.  Write these individual words and phrases on paper strips or perhaps paint them on rocks.  Then, pick places to leave these messages for others to discover. Imagine different people finding these words and phrases and feeling a sense of peace with a message just for them.

Table Decorations and Menu

Now, head over to Chef Sarah Elizabeth to get the menu.—>click here for the menu

Then, check out the table crafts at Sunny Day Family.—>click here for the craft

We hope you are inspired to create a fun and meaningful Family Dinner Book Club with your own family. Remember that we want to see pictures of your dinner.  Please share them our special Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.

You can see all the books being featured for Family Dinner Book Club in 2016.

And, join us again in September for another Family Dinner Book Club when we will feature Dominicby William Steig.