“Quack” was the first word my daughter said. We were sitting on a our couch in Wisconsin, where we lived at the time, looking at one of our farm books. On the animals page, she stopped me, pointed to the duck, and said “Quack.” She said it proudly, but like it was something she had said a million times before.
Perhaps this is why I have a special place in my heart for farm animal books. Perhaps it is because toddlers seem naturally attracted to these quirky animals. On the other hand, perhaps it is just because there are so many wonderful farm books.
11 Best Farm Animal Books for Kids
1. Let’s Go Visiting by Sue Williams
This repetitive book is perfect for infants and toddlers and is one of the farm books I shared in my Down on the Farm Story Time post. It is filled with animals and opportunities for learning, but mostly it is just fun. Order Online
2. Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting
This is another one I shared in my Down on the Farm Story Time and is one of our all time favorite read alouds. It is a perfect one for talking about spring and baby animals. Hurry! Hurry! has a growing sense of urgency and pregnant pause at the end that make it a suspenseful read aloud. Order Online
3. Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming
Toddlers and preschoolers will love hunting for goose in this playful book. Denise Fleming is a master at writing and illustrating books for children and this is one of her best. It is packed with delicious phrases and active illustrations. Order Online
4. Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw
I also recommended this one for the Down on the Farm story time. This is a classic example of an awesome rhyming book and that use of language makes it tickle tongues and ears when read aloud. Order Online
5. Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Duck finds a bike in the yard and decides to give it a try. As he rides around the yard the other animals have varied opinions about this, but what will they do when a whole gang of bikes gets left in the yard? Order Online
6. Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman
Hands down one of the best read aloud books. All over the farm disasters big and small strike, but Monday through Saturday the chickens come to the rescue. When a Sunday morning breakfast gets dropped to the ground are they still up for the challenge? The illustrations in this are hilarious, as is the premise, and I promise you will all be laughing out loud. Order Online
You May Also Like: Cluck Cluck Chickens Storytime for Preschoolers
7. Otis by Loren Long
My kids are completely in love with the whole Otis series, but this is the one that began it all. Otis is an older tractor but dear friends with the calf. One day the farmer brings home a new big yellow tractor and Otis feels useless. A wonderful story about friendship, worth, and farm life. Order Online
8. Click, Clack Quackity Quack by Doreen Cronin
Click, Clack Moo is certainly the best of these farm books by Cronin and Lewin, but I really like this Alphabetical Adventure. I am a huge fan of alphabet books that tell a story and this one does just that. The animals are all headed for a picnic and it is quite an adventure. Order Online
9. Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield
This book is pure silliness. Anyone who has ever been told that they have a cowlick will find this endlessly entertaining. Order Online
10. The Noisy Way to Bed by Ian Whybrow
It’s time for bed, but the animals have other ideas as the little boy heads across the farm. The Noisy Way to Bed is complete with farm animals, rhyming words, and a cozy conclusion that make it the perfect story to read tonight. Order Online
11. Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! by Candace Fleming and Lori Nichols
This book was not quite what I was expecting from the title. What it is however is a silly, animal noise filled, guessing game, repetition filled goodnight story that will delight toddlers and preschoolers. Well crafted and adorably illustrated. I highly recommend this one for parents of young kids.
11. Look What I Found on the Farm by Moira Butterfield and Jesus Verona
Three friends go visit a farm and find all kinds of things in this book that encourages you to look closely. The book has a nice pattern to it’s structure. The kids notice something – a tuft of wool, a family of goats – and on that same page the author asks if you can find some other things in a look and seek book format. Then the next page shares more in depth information about some aspect of farming. On this page there are ideas of things to find on an actual farm visit – farm animal tracks, types of grass, etc. My one complaint about this book is that I found this a little confusing at first but once you figure out this detail the book flows well. When reading this aloud to a group, I would read every other page, focusing on the page with the observation and details to find. However, with a smaller group or single child, the extra information is interesting and I love the encouragement to look closely on your own farm visit.
Over the years my kids have mastered most animal noises from cows to flamingos, but that first one is the one you remember. That first time your kid looks up at you on a trip to the zoo or from the pages of a book and proudly says “Quack.”
