30 Favorite Farm Animal Books for Little Learners
When I was a little girl, I woke up to the sound of horses and goats bleating from the barn, the smell of manure and hay wafting through my open window, and sunshine streaming over rolling hills. I hope one day we get to leave the sidewalks and manicured lawns of our suburban home—but until then, we’ll expose our kids to the farm life through stories and trips.
Having taught elementary school for the past decade, I’m well versed in my farm animal literature. Our curriculum had a 12 week unit devoted to life on the farm. These are our favorite farm stories from toddler board books to preschool picture books and even some early childhood chapter books. Much of these stories are inspired from my time in the classroom or our own shelves at home. I hope these stories help transport you and your little learner to country and you enjoy your time among the animals.
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Toddler Board Books
1. Farm Animals written by National Geographic Kids
The National Geographic Look & Learn series is a collection of informational books for young kids. Each book focuses on a topic and uses real-life photos and simple text to engage readers.
This book is an excellent beginning information book on farm animals. Your little learner will love looking at the vibrant photos while learning about how farm animals help us.
2. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle.
This was my go to baby shower gift for awhile. The pictures are calm and inviting, the rhyming, sing-songy text is engaging (a better alternative to Dr. Seuss), and the story is sweet.
The Little Blue Truck, friendly to all, is contrasted by the Big Dump Truck who is a bit arrogant and rude. When the Dump gets stuck in the mud, none of the animals want to help him get out—but Blue being kind risks getting stuck to do the right thing. He does get stuck, but Blue’s cry is heard by all and his friends come and help. A beautiful short story about importance of kindness, friendship, and helping others.
3. Oh Dear! by Rod Campbell
Most people are familiar with Rod Campbell’s other book, Dear Zoo. This story has a little more depth and detailed drawings alongside the traditional lift-flaps.
The story is about a little boy named Buster who’s staying at his grandmother’s house. His grandmother asks him to get the eggs and he tries all the different animal houses before remembering to go to the hen house. Add a few animal noises and you’ll have an engaging text your child will want to return to.
4. From Eden to Bethlehem an Animals Primer by Hitchen, Danielle
Not a traditional farm book, but it does include a lot of different farm animals that appear in the bible (ram, goat, donkey, cow).
This book takes your little learner from the Garden of Eden to the barn in Bethlehem introducing different creatures found in the Old and New Testaments while exposing your child to the deeper truths in Scripture.
5. Poke-A-Dot Farm Animal Families series by Melissa and Doug
This interactive poke-a-dot book invites toddlers to poke a variety of mom and baby farm animals and learn their different names. The vibrant real photos and any added noises you make will make this a wonderful addition to your farm animal collection.
6. Good Night, Farm: A Touch-and-Feel Storybook by Patricia Hegarty
Good Night, Farm by Patricia Hegarty is a really sweet, touch-and-feel story that has you tuck in the farm animals before tucking in your own little learner. The gentle rhymes, calm illustrations, and different textures make it a fun story for toddlers to read.
7. Our Little Adventure to the Farmers Market by Tabitha Paige
While not directly about a farm, it is about produce that farmers sell at the market. Our Little Adventure to the Farmers Market by Tabitha Paigeis a beautifully illustrated and written story about Little Fox who goes to the farmers market to prepare a sweet surprise for his friend. This is one of a really sweet series. Each book incorporates language and vocabulary for little learns as well as simple stories that help keep them engaged and foster conversations and extensions.
8. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown is a simple, classic story that takes little readers through a day on the farm. The rhythmic text and simple illustrations help introduce young children to life around the big, red barn. A great little story for bedtime reading.
Preschool
9. Farm Animals by Scholastic
Farm Animals by Scholastic is a story I read often in my kindergarten class. This nonfiction story introduces children to farm animals with simple poetic text. The sentences are short, the vocabulary is straightforward, and the pictures are real photographs. It’s a perfect read for preschoolers to learn simple facts about farm animals and the roles they play on the farm.
10. Farm Animals by National Geographic Kids
Farm Animals by National Geographic Kids is my top choice for a preschool informational text about farm animals. Really the book goes beyond farm animals by introducing different types of farms, describing a day on a family farm, and farm machines.
It’s a little longer than the Scholastic Farm Animals and the sentences are more detailed. The pictures are really engaging, the text is clear, and it does a great job talking about the products farms produce. If your little one can sit for longer and enjoys learning more, this is a great book.
11. Goats by Julia Murray
Goats by Julie Murray is one of many books in this series about farm animals. The books introduce young readers to different farm animals with simple sentences and real photographs. These books give very simple facts about each animals—what they look like, how they live, what role they play on the farm. They are perfect for preschoolers and early readers to help build knowledge, vocabulary and spark curious conversations.
They are very short and simple, if your preschooler is looking for more information about each animal, scroll down to the books by Lori Dittmer (#20 on the list).
12. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
My daughter is afraid of the troll in this book. We returned it to the library, but my kindergarteners LOVED this book every year. In my defense, it is the least scary troll illustration that I’ve seen of this story. She is also easily frightened and she comes by that honest.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a beloved classic story about three billy goats, all named gruff who want to go up into the meadow to eat. The problem, they have to cross the bridge over the rushing river which is also inhabited by a troll who is as mean as he is ugly. Through some simple trickery and brute strength, they overcome the troll and get fat eating in the meadow.
Maybe she’ll like it next year. It really is a good one!
13. Three Little Pigs by Thea Kliros
There are SO many versions of the Three Little Pigs. A classic story about three little pigs who venture off into the world on their own. They each build their house, reflective of their personalities, only one heeds the momma pigs advice.
I like this version because the pictures are simple and classy. The text is clear and to the point without loosing description. In this version, the pigs run to the third pigs house and the wolf is never seen again after getting its tail scorched. The scorched tail page is a little dark but not too bad. All in all a great read for preschoolers.
14. The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney
I should start by stating that I love (most of) Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations and retells (the troll in his Three Billy Goats Gruff is a little much). His retells are a little on the longer side of things, but we enjoy them.
This is another favorite from my kindergarten classroom. Jerry retells the classic story of The Little Red Hen, a timeless story about hard work and reward. The illustrations are engaging, the text is descriptive but not overwhelming, and the story encourages working hard for the things we want.
15. The Enormous Turnip by Kathy Parkinson
This is a newer find. I discovered the classic folktale when I was researching books for our fall curriculum. There are a TON of versions. A lot of them are entitled The Gigantic Turnip. I choose this one because I liked the illustrations the best and the simple text.
The Enormous Turnip, is about a farmer who has planted a turnip that has grown so big, he can’t pull it out of the ground by himself. One by one, others come to help him, until the smallest creature helps make the difference. I love the little bunny onlookers and my daughter loved the absurdity. It helps showcase the value of teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of lending a hand or asking for help.
16. If You Want to Knit Some Mittens by Laura Purdie Salas
Here’s another story I stumbled upon when I was researching books for our fall study. The illustrations and story are adorable but also informative.
If You Want to Knit Some Mittens helps teach kids about the process of turning sheep’s wool into warm mittens. Starting with raising the sheep all the way to knitting, each page illustrates the process beautifully. It’s a great glimpse into where our clothes come from (or should but that’s a whole other thing). A great addition to learning about farm life and farm animals.
17. Barn in Fall by Chambrae Griffith
Barn in Fall by Chambre Griffin is a warm picture book about a farm in fall. The text is simple, the illustrations are cozy depicting life on the farm in fall—gathering food, preparring for winter. A good, simple, fall on the farm read aloud to introduce more vocabulary, encourage seasonal observation and celebrate the changing seasons.
Early Elementary
18. The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
This is one of my favorites from my classroom! It is a bit of a divisive book. You’ll either love it or hate it. It is a bit on the longer side, but the authors offer a short read version at the top of the page alongside the long read version. So length should not factor into your overall score.
The Year at Maple Hill Farm is a soft, cozy read about how a farm changes over the course of the year. Month by month and season by season, you’ll experience the shifts in weather, the different roles of the farmer and the natural rhythms of the animals on the farm. The words and illustrations are so detailed, you can read this again and again and still learn something new. It’s a great read to help you joyfully anticipate each new season.
19. The Farm that Feeds Us by Nancy Castaldo
If you don’t like A Year at Maple Hill Farm, this would be a great substitute, but be warned it’s even longer. .
The Farm that Feeds Us lacks a little of the coziness of the story above, but it is beautifully illustrated and even more detailed as it takes you behind the scene of a working farm. It really helps you understand the work that goes in to planting, growing, and harvesting the food we eat. It will likely build a deeper gratitude for a fridge full of food.
20. Cows by Lori Dittmer
Cows by Lori Dittmer is part of the grow with me series that helps teach kids about nature. They have quite a few stories about farm animals. The photographs are great and the text is very informative. It is a thicker read intended for ages 8+, but it’s a great read to help build animal knowledge, vocabulary, and create conversations about farm animals.
21. The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney
As I’ve already mentioned, I love Jerry Pinkney books. This isn’t my favorite, but it is a good retelling of the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale.
The Ugly Duckling, although not a Brother’s Grimm story, may be a bit hard to read with your child—at least it was for me. This was written in a different culture and our household (myself included) winces at the word ugly and the treatment of this poor little chick. It is a great story about a little bird, who thinking he’s a duck, feels ugly, out of place, and misunderstood until finally he discovers he’s a swan. This timeless story invites conversations about our true identify, patience in our suffering, and a reminder that we are each purposefully and wonderfully made.
22. My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me by Roxanne Troup
My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me, is a story about a little girl and her sweet bond with her grandpa. The family owns a pecan orchard (a very different type of farm) and showcases the growth and harvesting of pecans throughout a year. This story encourages connection with those around us and gratitude for what we have.
23. Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter is a rhythmic text that details a farm getting ready for winter. The animals get fed, the barn tidied, and fall chores come to a close. The cozy illustrations and simple text make it a sweet read for early preschoolers and beyond.
24. Sheep to Sweater by Julie Murray
Another great information book from Julie Murray.
Sheep to Sweater is a simple nonfiction book that teaches kids how wool from sheep becomes sweaters we wear. Real photographs (better than the Amazon photo here) and detailed text helps kids understand the process of some of our clothes are made.
25. Winter on the Farm by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder late in life—in my adult years. I’m so happy that my daughter does not have to wait. The My First Little House picture books are perfect little stories to introduce kids to the Little House.
Winter on the Farm is adapted from Farmer Boy (my favorite Little House book tied with the Long Winter), so it’s not actually about Laura but Almanzo Wilder (Laura’s husband) and his childhood on their family farm. It’s a cozy read that showcases daily chores and farm life as they prepare for winter.
Chapter Books
26. Babe by Dick King-Smith
The other pig (mentioned below) is beloved in our household, but I think this one is just as great!
Babe is a really sweet story. Forget anything you vagley remember from the 1995 movie they added a lot of drama. The book is neither scary nor sad—though it does have a couple sad parts in it (a beloved sheep dies rather violently). Babe is a pig, who after being won by an unexpected farmer, finds himself on a sheep farm. His kind and respectful demeanor eventually makes him one the best sheep herders around—a true sheeppig. It’s a heartwarming tale about respect, perseverance, and the mysterious ways.
Please note, it is a true to life farm book—even though the animals talk—where it discusses eating the pig for Christmas. True, but hard to accept sometimes.
27. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This is a favorite in our household. You can often find my daughter either quoting this story or sitting on a milk pail (a stool) in her room (the barn cellar) watching the animals (her stuffies). We love both the movie and the book—especially the yoto card.
For those that don’t know, Charlotte’s Web is a timeless tale about friendship, kindness, sacrifice, and ordinary beauty in life on a farm. Wilbur, born a runt, is saved by Fern and then again by Charlotte the spider. This book has robust language and an even deeper story that invites readers of all ages to contemplate love, sacrifice, and connection.
Please note, it is a true to life farm book—even though the animals talk—where it discusses eating the pig for Christmas. True, but hard to accept sometimes.
28. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
As stated earlier, this is one of my favorite Little House on the Prairie books. I love the story of Alamanzo’s childhood.
Farmer Boy tells the story of young Almanzo Wilder and his childhood growing up on a large farm in New York in the 1800s. It depicts daily farm chores, planting, harvesting, raising cows and horses and a glimpse at family life on a farm in the 19th century. It depicts a very different time and details the hard work and simple joys of life in the past.
29. Moo by Sharon Creech
I have not read this book, but it’s on my list of books to read. Here’s what Chat GPT has to say about it,
“Moo by Sharon Creech is a playful and heartwarming story about a family who moves to a farm and the adventures (and misadventures) they have with their animals. With humor, engaging characters, and gentle lessons woven throughout, it’s perfect for sparking laughter, conversation, and curiosity about farm life. This story also subtly encourages kindness, problem-solving, and noticing the small joys in God’s creation.”
30. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley is one of my all time favorite people and her story is only tied with Jo March, from Little Women. Like the Little House series, I came to Anne of Green Gables late in life—after my daughter was born. I regret not having grown up with here and eagerly look forward to the day I get to introduce her to my daughter.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is the story of Anne Shirley, a genuine, creative, orphan with a tender heart, who grows up navigating family, friends, and community. She is resilient, kind, strong headed, and sees the world through child-like wonder. Her story encourages empathy, creativity, and gratitude for all the gifts God gives us.
For what it’s worth, my favorite story is Rilla of Ingleside which is the last book in the series, so it’s worth it to read them all.
I hope this lists helps inspire you to reach for storybooks and informational texts, beloved stories and new! There are so many great stories out there that take place on a farm and learning more about life on a farm will help enrich your child’s understanding of some beloved stories—but also the world we live in. These stories will help kids begin to notice more about the world around them by building vocabulary, understanding, and sparking their curiosity. Happy reading! May these stories from the farm draw your family closer to our natural world and the one who created it.
