|

43 Best Farm Books for Kids: A Picture Book Collection

Share with a Friend

The best farm books are arranged in two columns with a watercolor illustration of barnyard animals around a big red barn.

Updated August 13, 2024

Farm Books for Kids. This booklist includes more than 43 farm books for kids with an emphasis on quality literature. I have included books that are commonly found at local libraries.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do with my kids. I have been reading to them ever since they were teeny tiny. I do my best to keep our library book bag full, their book baskets overflowing, and every room with a stack of books easily accessible for their little hands.

My priority is to provide them with rich literature. I want books that encourage them to cherish the blessings in life, challenge them to be a better person, to strive for honor and honesty. Good books that feed the soul. Books that will become old friends. Friends to speak about and return to when you need a quiet moment or a moment to enter another world. Thus, I hope you find a literary gem on this farm book list that sparks your children’s imagination and challenges them to find beauty and honor.

I’m always on the hunt for rich literature. I will continue to add my new farm finds here to the farm books for kids booklist.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you on qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. 

43 Best Farm Books for Kids

Favorite Farm Picture Books

1. A Home in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

Farm animals including cows, cat, pigs, goats and chickens are at the door inside a barn with warm hay spread out of the barn floor in the cover of A Home In the Barn of farm books for kids.
A Home in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

This is a classic farm book! Winter has arrived, and with it, a cold wind. The wind’s presence is evident on almost every page as the animals seek warmth and shelter in the barn.

2. The Hundred-Year Barn by Patricia MacLachlan

A mom in a white dress is holding hands with her son who is wearing a red hat. They are accompanied by their black and white spotted dog. This family stands in a field of brown tall grass with a red barn standing in the distance.
The Hundred-Year Barn by Patricia MacLachlan

This wonderful book is written from the perspective of a little boy who watches his community help his dad build the Hundred-Year Barn. The barn becomes a beloved landmark of his childhood. This red barn is more than a shelter. It is a symbol of peace, stability, and friendship. While building the barn, a dearly loved item is lost, only to be found many years later by the boy, now a man.

3. Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle

A farm scenery with a black horse being led in a field, a man pushing a wheelbarrow, a red barn, and a silo on the hilltop, and a white farmhouse with smoke coming from its chimney.
Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle

Winter is here. It is time for the farm to rest. But first, preparations must be made before putting the farm to a well-deserved rest. This book beautifully illustrates and informs about the tasks and seasons on the family farm.

4. Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

A white farmhouse with wildflowers growing in the front yard and a white picket fence bordering the yard. A little girl is reaching both arms out for a white cat that is running out of the farmhouse door.
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Sophie Blackall beautifully illustrates the daily life and the stories of the farmhouse. It truly is a beautiful book that allows you to peek through the windows and experience the joy of the farmhouse. This is a must-read on farm books for kids.

5. The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen

Pictures of the farm for each month including a crowing roster on a snowy farm in January to a litter of cozy kittens in December on the illustrated children's book "The Year at Maple Hill Farm" by Alice and Martin Provensen, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen

This wonderful picture book offers a delightful way to introduce seasons and months of the year to young children. Through the farm animals’ adaptations to seasonal changes, like cows seeking shelter in the barn during cold days, the story unfolds month by month. Children will be captivated by the charming illustrations, making it a standout choice on the Best Farm Books for Kids Booklist.

6. Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story about Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley

An African American female wearing a blue blouse holds an apple in her hand on the cover of "Bring me some apples and I'll make you a pie."
Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie by Robbin Gourley

Edna Lewis was a female African American chef who strongly advocated for fresh, in-season ingredients and was a true artist of farm-to-table meals, refining the view of southern cooking. Without the conveniences of the modern grocery store, Edna’s family lives off the land and cherishes each provision of nature. The book includes five kid-friendly recipes, and I cannot wait to try them with my kids. Another one that is a must-read for farm books for kids.

7. Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

A black chicken looks concerned on the cover of this farm book for kids.
Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

Oh, the anticipation! Hattie tries to express her concern about something hiding in the bushes, but the other barnyard animals don’t seem to be taking her seriously. This is one of my toddler’s favorite books. Hattie has become a true friend over the years.

8. James Herriot’s Treasury for Children

Adorable animals including sheep with two nursing lambs, piglets and a black cat, a striped tabby cat, and two sheepdog puppies are all on the front of the book James Herriot's Treasury for Children. A book included on the farm books for kids booklist.
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children

The author, James, shares his experiences with animals and farmers as a veterinarian in the British countryside. The pages are filled with adorable animals with spunky and courageous personalities. James’ warm love and care shine bright in every story. This truly is a treasure of a book. And one of the classic books to add to your children’s bookshelf and add to your bedtime stories.

9. A Little House Picture Book Treasury by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Individual images on a blue background including a dog chasing a wagon pulled by two horses, a family sitting on the ground having a picnic, a little girl petting a dog, and a little girl talking to a dog while she carries fresh greens in her apron.
A Little House Picture Book Treasury by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This treasury includes six stories filled with adventures of the pioneer family. The family lives off the land on a frontier unfamiliar to today’s little readers.

10. Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone

A red hen wearing a bonnet is holding a rake, a hoe, and a green watering can.
The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone

This is a classic story of reaping what you sow. When the little red hen asks for help from all the different animals, no one wants to help. So, she is left to do all the work herself.

11. The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer by Philip C. Stead

A donkey, dairy cow, goat, and rooster rest on the wooden farm fence in the dawn light waiting for the farmer on the children's book cover "The Sun is Late and is so is the Farmer," a book on the Best July Picture Books for Kids booklist.
The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer by Philip C. Stead

This fun story is about a worried little barnyard trio on an epic journey to wake the sun. Young readers will love the suspense and mini adventure on the farm!

12. Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm by Joy Cowley

Mrs. Wishy Washy is looking at her smiling farm animals, including her cow, pig, and duck.
Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm by Now Cowley

The animals on Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s farm are not too fond of a bath and decide to run away. But after an adventure into town, they realize they prefer to be squeaky clean and return to Mrs. Wishy-Washy.

13. Chanticleer and the Fox retold by Barbara Cooney 

A fancy rooster named Chanticleer struts across the barnyard watched by two women and a fox in the bushes on the book cover of "Chanticleer and the Fox" by Barbara Cooney, a book on the best September picture books for kids booklist.
Chanticleer and the Fox retold by Barbara Cooney

This is a favorite picture book adapted from The Canterbury Tales. In this story, a proud rooster named Chanticleer has a sorrowful dream about a fox, but one of his hens warns him to not be silly. Unfortunately, Chanticleer’s dream starts to unfold the next day. CONTENT WARNING: The rooster has seven wives and noted violence with the fox grabs the rooster by the throat.

14. Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins

Rosie' a red hen walks out of her yellow coop while a fox sneaks behind her on the cover of the children's picture book "Rosie's Walk"by Pat Hutchins, a book on the best letter c books for preschool and kindergarten booklist.
Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins


This is a timeless picture book featuring Rosie, the hen who takes a stroll with a fox following close behind her. Fortunately, the fox is unsuccessful in each attempt to capture her. Don’t miss the sequel – Where, Oh, Where is Rosie’s Chick.

15. Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

A man pets his ox hitched to a blue covered wagon on the beloved classic children's book "Ox-Cart Man" by Donald Hall, a book on the Best November Picture Books for Kids booklist.
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

This is a wonderful picture book that follows the ox-cart man on his journey to sell his goods at the market and returns with his pockets full of coins. Then, the cycle begins again.

Educational Farming Books & Farm-to-Table Picture Books for Kids

16. Farming by Gail Gibbons

A farmer drives a red tractor across the field to plow and prepare the field for planting.
Farming by Gail Gibbons

This is a great educational book about farming through the seasons.


17. How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? A Story of Food by Chris Butterworth 

A collage illustrations featuring "How did that get in my lunchbox" by Chris Butterfield, a book featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
How did that get in my lunchbox? A Story of Food by Chris Butterworth

This delightful picture book looks into all the steps involved in producing the “real” food in a lunchbox with engaging text and vibrant illustrations.

18. Right This Very Minute a table-to-farm book by Lisl Detlefsen

A little girl is eating a salad at the table while thinking of an orchard, a tractor plowing a field, a cowboy herding cows, and bees buzzing around flowers.
Right This Very Minute by Lisl Detlefsen

This is an informative book on how food gets to the table. This book is an excellent tool for teaching kids about where their food comes from and all the hard work that goes into each meal.

Farm Books for Younger Children: Farm Board Books

19. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

An old little blue truck with a toad on the driver's side is driving down an old country road with farm animals loaded in the bed of the truck.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Beep! Beep! can be heard around the farm as the Little Blue Truck is always friendly and always greets all the farm animals. After helping someone in need, he finds himself stuck trying to get the “important” dump truck out of the mud. Everyone lends a hand to help the Little Blue Truck.

Other farm books for kids from the Little Blue Truck Series that we love:

20. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

Farm animals are standing on the green grass in front of a big red barn on a sunny summer day.
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

The simple yet rhythmic text describes the animals on the farm and provides a little glimpse into a day on the farm at the big red barn. This is a simple but good book.

21. Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw

A sheep dog hugs a sheep on the beloved board book "Sheep go to sleep" by Nancy Shaw, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw

It’s time for bed but this flock of sheep cannot fall asleep. With the help of the sheepdog, the restless sheep find sleep one by one. If you love this silly sheep tale check out Sheep in a Jeep.

22. Around the Farm by Eric Carle

A rooster with a colorful tail and gold and brown body struts across the grass with the sun shining high. This is the cover of the book Around the Farm. To the side of the book is a control panel that includes various sounds of animals found on the farm.
Around the Farm by Eric Carle

A 30-button sound book with all the animals from around the farm with beautiful illustrations by Eric Carle.

23. Barnyard Dance! By Sandra Boynton

A fun board book by Sandra Boynton with red apples and silly barnyard animals dancing on the cover. This book is featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Barnyard Dance! By Sandra Boynton

We adore Sandra Boynton’s board books! In this silly barnyard tale, there are pigs twirling and cows playing fiddles. The rhyming text is fun, and the bold illustrations are eye-catching. Another Boynton barnyard favorite – Moo, Baa, La La La!

24. Rooster’s Off to See the World by Eric Carle

A colorful rooster sets off on adventure as the sun rises on the beloved book cover "Rooster's Off to See the World" by Eric Carle, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Rooster’s Off to See the World by Eric Carle

In this fun counting book, Rooster decides to set off and see the world along with two cats, three frogs, four turtles, and five fish. However, Rooster soon realizes he may not have been fully ready for this grand adventure.

25. Baby Farm Animals illustrated by Garth Williams

Beloved baby farm animals illustrated by Garth Williams on the vintage golden book "Baby farm animals," a book featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Baby Farm Animals illustrated by Garth Williams

This beautifully illustrated book by Garth Williams is great for introducing farm animals to younger children.

26. Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Golden Books

A golden book favorite "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Vintage illustrated children's book with a red barn, barnyard animals, and a silly farmer on the book cover. This book is featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Golden Books

This is a fun way to introduce little ones to the beloved singalong, singing about various animals and the sounds they make.

27. Usborne Lift-the-Flap Look Inside a Farm by Katie Daynes

A farmer driving a red tractor pulls a wagon full of hay across the farm with chickens, cows, ducks, and bunnies on the brightly illustrated book for children "Usborne lift-the-flap Look inside a farm" by Katie Daynes, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Usborne Lift-the-Flap Look Inside a Farm by Katie Daynes

This lift-the-flap book is perfect for little hands to peek at and explore the bustling farm!

28. Hello World! On the Farm by Jill McDonald

A big red barn with a crowing rooster, a black cat, goat, white hen, and a cow brightly illustrated on the nonfiction board book "Hello World! On the Farm" by Jill McDonald, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Hello World! On the Farm by Jill McDonald

This farm book is part of a non-fiction board book series by Jill McDonald. This book is filled with bright illustrations and simple facts perfect for younger children to learn all about the farm from crops to animals.

29. Indestructibles: Hello Farm! by Amy Pixton

Two dairy cows graze in the pasture outside a big red barn on the book cover of the beloved indestructibles, a book featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Indestructibles: Hello Farm! by Amy Pixton

Who munches the grass? Hungry cows!
Who rolls in the mud? Playful pigs!
Who greets the day? Crowing roosters!

Indestructibles are books for the tiniest readers! Make sure to check out Indestructibles Old MacDonald, too.

30. Dream Snow by Eric Carle

Snow is falling on a wintery day and landing on a man dressed in a red coat and hat, green gloves and black boots carrying a large brown sack.
Dream Snow by Eric Carle

The farmer has completed his day taking care of his five animals. He dreams of snow and wakes up to a blanket of snow on the farm. He quickly remembers it’s Christmas and brings holiday cheer to his animals.

31. All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

A mama rabbit is kissing one of her baby rabbits while one of her babies is propped up on her back.
All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

This book includes simple text and adorable animals. Mamas cuddle and cherish their babies. Also, follow the bird in the background through the illustrations as she returns worms and bugs to her little ones in the nest.

32. Farming Strong, All Year Long by Sherri Duskey Rinker

A yellow tractor is hauling hay on the farm with other work vehicles parked in front of the big red barn.
Farming Strong, All Year Long by Sherri Duskey Rinker

See all the work the trucks and farm vehicles are responsible for through the seasons on the farm. Little ones who love construction, farm machinery, and tractors will enjoy this tractor book.

33. The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book by Jez Alborough

A happy sheep and fellow barn yard animals gather around the farmer's red tractor to pretend to drive it and make tractor noises on the children's book cover "The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book," a book on the Best Farm books for kids booklist.
The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book by Jez Alborough

This is such a fun farm book for young children. While Farmer Dougal sleeps, Sheep hops on the tractor, making tractor noises and pretending to drive the tractor. The other barnyard friends join in with all kinds of fun animal and tractor noises. Be prepared to read this one again and again.

More Farm Books for Kids

34. Barn Dance! by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

On a night with a full moon, a scarecrow stands at the door of an old wooden barn while a boy slips through the fence on the cover of one of the farm books for kids.
Barn Dance! by Bill Martin Jr.

A young boy sneaks out of his bedroom to experience a nighttime barnyard dance led by a scarecrow with a fiddle. My child was so concerned about his missing sock.

35. Barn at Night by Michelle Houts

Watercolor illustration of a yellow cat, daughter, and father going into the barn on a snowy night on the picture book cover "Barn at Night' by Michelle Houts, a book featured on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Barn at Night by Michelle Houts

This sweet picture book features a father and a daughter’s precious time together in the barn with lyrical text and beautiful illustrations.

36. Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

Three spotted cows typing on a typewriter with a duck and chicken watching. The typewriter is resting on the ground on some hay.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

I would be demanding an electric blanket too. The cows found an old typewriter in the barn and began making demands. We love the Click Clack Moo series!

Other Farm Books for Kids From the Click, Clack series that we love:

37. Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

A sheep sitting in the driver's seat of an old blue truck looks over to the sheepdog sitting in the passenger seat.
Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

This is a book of good humor. We continually borrow this gem at our local library. Sheep Sheep is a silly sheep who discovers she is a Dog Sheep. She does her best to help the sheepdog prepare for his job of watching the sheep.

38. Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

A white duck is hoeing rows in a field on a farm.
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

Duck becomes tired after doing all the farmer’s chores on the farm, and the other barn animals take action to help the duck out. My husband and girls love this one. Call me a party pooper. I know a lot of farmers, and I have never met a lazy farmer. Maybe that’s part of the humor in the book. But I am proud of these animals for standing up for each other.

39. Early One Morning by Mem Fox

A little boy wearing blue overalls and a striped shirt is walking proudly over the field lined with wildflowers and a rooster follows closely behind.
Early One Morning by Mem Fox

A little boy goes on a hunt in search of something special for the breakfast table. Along the way, he sees many farm animals. He finds what he is looking for and then enjoys breakfast with his grandmother.

40. Chicken Talk by Patricia MacLachlan

Silly chickens peek around the edges of the children's book "Chicken Talk" by Patricia MacLachlan, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist.
Chicken Talk by Patricia MacLachlan

In this silly book, barnyard chickens surprise the family with messages scratched around the farm.

41. Cock-a-doodle-doo, Creak, Pop-pop, Moo by Jim Aylesworth

A little girl wearing a yellow dress is sitting on a fence, singing with a little boy, cows, and a rooster on a bright sunny day.
Cock-a-doodle-doo, Creak, Pop-pop, Moo by Jim Aylesworth

Experience the daily rhythm of farm life with the animals, chores, and family time.

42. Tractor Mac Autumn is Here by Billy Steers

A red tractor is joyfully talking to a brown spotted calf playing in a pile of autumn fall leaves.
Tractor Mac Autumn is Here by Billy Steers

Fergus, a little calf who fears change, becomes quite nervous about all the changes that fall brings to the farm. But he learns to appreciate the changes of the season.

43. The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble

A big red and green spotted boa constrictor is eating a pair of pants with his body wrapped around the clothesline. Two chickens are flying in the air. Two kids are standing in the barnyard with other animals while the farmer's wife hangs clothes on the line.
The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble

I love how this little girl nonchalantly tells her inquisitive mom about her field trip to the farm as the little girl is putting on an astronaut costume. Also, I have empathy for this teacher. Goodness me! Throwing eggs and corn cobs are not okay.

Interested in More Booklists for Kids: Check These Out!

Free Monthly Booklists: A Picture Book Collection for Every Month

Free monthly Booklists for Kids: A Picture Book Collection in black font with colorful and fun book pattern and a colorful book stack and ivy plant on a bookshelf.

Get all monthly booklists for free HERE.

Best Apple Picture Books

Children's book covers about apples arranged in a diagonal pattern featuring images of an African American girl holding an apple, a girl traveling the world with a red and white parachute, apple trees, apple orchards, and many varieties of apples with big, bold, and black text reading Apple Books for Kids. Also, decorative watercolor images of a branch with green leaves and red apples and a wooden basket full of Red Delicious apples.

Get the complete booklist HERE.

Best Fall Picture Books

Fall books for kids book covers arranged in two rows with watercolor orange and rustic red pumpkins and leaf banners. Books included images of squirrels, signs of fall, big pumpkins, and fall colored leaves.

Get the complete list of favorite picture books for autumn HERE.

More Booklists Coming Soon!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Lastly, thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share your favorite picture book from the Best Farm Books for Kids booklist. Did I miss one of your favorite ones? If you have any recommendations, please feel free to share them in the comment section. Be sure to subscribe to my mailing list for monthly picture booklists delivered right to your inbox.

HAPPY READING!

– With Great Joy, Katie

PIN IT FOR LATER!

The best farm books are arranged in two columns with a watercolor illustration of barnyard animals around a big red barn.

Similar Posts

5 Comments

  2. Oh these books are adorable! When my eldest (now 21) was younger, the only farm book I can remember was chicken little! How far we have come, It’s important for children to develop an affinity for animals early on xxx

  3. This is a healthy list of books. Over the weekend, I took the kids to Barnes and Noble to pick out a few books. We actually have two of the books from the list-Click Clack Moo and Little Blue Truck.

Comments are closed.