20 Farm Books for Kids that Celebrate the Fun of Farm Life
Farms are fascinating places for kids of all ages. They are full of animals, crops, machines, and adventures. Reading books about farms can help kids learn more about where their food comes from, how farmers work, and what life on a farm is like. They link well with outdoor activities. Here are 20 farm books for kids that we recommend for your next reading session.
Farm Board Books
Board books are great for toddlers and preschoolers who love to touch and explore books. They are sturdy, colorful, and easy to hold. Here are some board books that feature farm themes and characters.
- Tractor Mac Farm Days by Billy Steers. This book follows Tractor Mac, a big friendly tractor, as he goes about his chores around the farm. The simple text highlights the different tools used on the farm while the illustrations of the cute tractor will draw in young readers.
- Who’s on the Farm by Julia Donaldson. A simple lift the flap book with characters from the famous What the Ladybird heard book.
- Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jil McElmurry. This popular story introduces readers to Blue, the little blue truck who makes friends with all kinds of farm animals. The fun rhyming text includes lots of truck and animal noises that little ones will love making too.
- Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown and Felicia Bond. This story, written by the author of Goodnight Moon, follows a group of farm animals as they play throughout the day and settle in for the night. The soothing text and gentle illustrations make this a great one to read to little ones at night.
- First Farm Words by Roger Priddy. This board book uses large, clear photographs and simple text to identify farm words for young kids. Priddy uses bright colors and large words to introduce little ones to farm vocabulary words.
- Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton. This rollicking board book uses Boynton’s classic animal illustrations to create a fun dance party on the farm. The text includes lots of action words that will inspire kids to get up and dance along.
- Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown. This peppy rhyming story will surely get kids on their feet as they dance along with all the farm animals. The collage-style illustrations are full of interesting colors and textures to engage little ones as well.
- Spot Goes to the Farm by Eric Hill. Join Spot, the popular little dog, as he visits a farm and learns about all kinds of baby animals. This book has flaps to lift and reveal surprises on every page.
- Make Tracks: Farm by Johnny Dyrander. One of our personal favourites so tactile and brilliant for fine motor skill development.
Farm Picture Books
Picture books are perfect for older kids who enjoy longer stories and more detailed illustrations. They can also spark discussions and questions about farms and agriculture. Here are some picture books that capture the essence of farm life.
- Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle and Becca Stadtlander. This book is gorgeously illustrated and quite informative on preparing a farm for winter. It shows how farmers care for their crops, animals, and equipment as the seasons change.
- Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz and Eda Kaban. This one is a fun twist on the classic Old MacDonald Had a Farm song, but features MacDonald and his wife fixing up an old pick up truck. It can still be sung to the same tune and is so much fun.
- Tractor Saves the Day by Mandy Archer and Martha Lightfoot. This is a good look at what type of work tractors do and is one of my little guy’s favorites. I like the nonfiction aspects of it and think it’s well done.
- Apple Countdown by Joan Holub and Jan Smith. This is a darling counting book where a class takes a field trip to an apple orchard. It is packed with farm fun goodness and is perfect for preschoolers.
- Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. This book is hilarious! It is about farm animals who type up letters to the farmer to request things like electric blankets. I loved this one as a kid and will never tire of it!
- The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone. What is a farm book list without this classic? I love its strong message on the value of hard work and feel a kinship with the Little Red Hen. It’s a classic for a reason!
- Kiss the Cow! by Phyllis Root and Will Hillenbrand. This book is so cute! It is about a cow that likes a special song and a kiss before she shares her milk. Such a darling concept for such a fun book.
Nonfiction Books About Farms
Nonfiction books are great for kids who want to learn more about the facts behind farming and agriculture. They can provide information on how farms operate, what kinds of products they produce, and how they affect the environment. Here are some nonfiction books that explore different aspects of farming.
- Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman. This book is a visual feast for the eyes, with detailed illustrations and diagrams of everything related to farm life. From the anatomy of a pig to the types of barns, this book covers it all in a fun and informative way.
- How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth and Lucia Gaggiotti. This book traces the journey of food from the farm to the lunchbox, showing how different foods are grown, harvested, processed, and transported. The book also includes some healthy eating tips and a glossary of food terms.
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Readers Edition by Michael Pollan. This book is an adaptation of Pollan’s bestselling book for adults, which explores the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices. Pollan follows four meals from their origins to their plates, revealing the hidden costs and benefits of each one.
- Who Grew My Soup? by Tom Darbyshire and C.F. Payne. This book is a humorous story about a boy who refuses to eat his vegetable soup until he meets the farmer who grew the ingredients. Along the way, he learns about how vegetables are grown and why they are good for him.
- The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons. This book is a simple introduction to the different kinds of vegetables we eat, how they grow, and how we prepare them. Gibbons uses colorful illustrations and clear text to explain the basics of vegetable farming and consumption.
- From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons. This book is a more detailed look at how plants grow from seeds, how they make food, and how they reproduce. Gibbons uses diagrams and labels to show the parts of a plant and the stages of its life cycle. There are some great teaching ideas linked to this Farm Book.
- Farm Machines by Kathryn Clay. This book is a great one for kids who love machines and vehicles. It introduces readers to the different kinds of machines used on farms, such as tractors, plows, harvesters, and balers. It also explains how these machines help farmers with their work.
We hope you enjoyed this list of 20 farm books for kids. Whether you are looking for a fun story or an informative book, there is something for every kids on this list. Happy reading!
