Fox Animation Studios has picked up the rights to the 1936 children's book The Story of Ferdinand for Carlos Saldanha (Rio) to develop and direct.

The book, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, was created by Munro Leaf with illustrations by Robert Lawson. The story centers on a laid-back bull who would rather graze in a pasture than fight matadors.

The book was featured in The Blind Side, with Sandra Bullock's character reading the story to her children. Representatives for the estate of Robert Lawson revealed that several offers came in after The Blind Side hit theaters, but they chose Fox since the studio was interested in the property before The Blind Side was released.

Carlos Saldanha also directed Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs for Fox Animation Studios.

No production schedule was revealed for The Story of Ferdinand.