Right now, Oliver is in love with farm animals and his new John Deere farm tractor toy that plays Old McDonald Had a Farm. It’s been fun to watch him play with it ever since he learned how to “drive” toy vehicles by pushing them around on the ground. I swear he didn’t know how to do that two weeks ago. To embrace his newfound interest in farms, we checked out a bunch of books about farm animals from the library. Here are five picture books about farm animals causing a ruckus (plus a bonus book to whip those silly farm animals into shape!) that we are reading this week:
Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
An illustrated chicken springs to life in this meta-story to help finish painting her barnyard scene but instead wreaks havoc when she accidentally knocks over a jar of blue paint! The story text is simple, but the watercolor artwork is breathtaking. (Goodreads | Indiebound)
Cock-a-Doodle Doo-Bop by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Matt Myers
Mel, the rooster, is one cool cat bird. He tries to change up his morning wakeup call to the Cock-a-Doodle Doo-Bop, but when the sun doesn’t rise to start a new day, the other farm animals band together to try to get Mel to change his tune. Oliver loves anything remotely sing-song, so he really enjoyed this one! (Goodreads | Indiebound)
Moo! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
When a cow discovers her farmer is putting his shiny, red car up for sale, she cannot resist taking it for a joyride. Even when there might be a bump in the road…literally! With silly illustrations and simple text using only the word “moo” to tell the story, Moo! is a riot. Oliver makes me reread this multiple times in a single sitting. Multiple times a day. (Goodreads | Indiebound)
The Cow Said Neigh!: A Farm Story by Rory Feek, illustrated by Bruno Robert
Okay, okay. So we didn’t check this one out from the library. This one came from our personal library because it is an absolute favorite! This is a silly story about farm animals wishing they were other farm animals, and it’s filled with clever rhyme and fun animal sounds. (Goodreads | Indiebound)
This Little Piggy: a Counting Book by Jarvis
Little ones learn to count to ten in this adaptation of This Little Piggy. When one little piggy goes to the market, the rest of their piggy friends follows. Soon little piggies all over the place are dancing for hours, eating all the potatoes, and diving into mud pools. (Goodreads | Indiebound)
Bonus Book!
Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
You have heard of Mother Goose, I’m sure. But, have you heard of her curmudgeonly sister, Spinster Goose? She teaches at a school filled with naughty children who snap their bubble gum and chew on chalk, but Spinster Goose has a method for dealing with these trouble-makers. I recommend for older children. Oliver wasn’t quite a fan of this one, but I certainly enjoyed the darker, alternative twist on traditional nursery rhymes. (Goodreads | Indiebound)
What are some of your favorite picture books featuring farm animals up to no good?
By Golly, Ollie! 
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