Duck to the Rescue by John Himmelman

Pigs…..chickens…..cows…..and now…..DUCK to the RESCUE!  In John Himmelman's latest book from the Greenstalk farm duck will be the animal to save the day!  From fear of the dark to filling the need for a sitter, Duck swoops in and saves the day - sort of.  Funny illustrations keep kids entertaining and with each page the guess of how Duck will help out, or not, will engage children preschool to early elementary.  As with his other books, this will be a great read aloud for some giggles and fun!

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:   5 Buckeye leaves

Down by the barn by WIll Hillendbrand

Both our kids are fans of Down by the Station so it was only natural for them to love this one too!  Cute illustrations with fun farm theme will delight preschool/kindergarten kiddos and fit nicely with a farm unit.  Familiar rhythm will allow students to quickly learn the new words and enjoy making the animals sounds throughout the book.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs

I spy with my little eye...read the riddle and peek through to find a rooster and a cow and a pig and other farm animals.  A fun introduction to a farm/animal unit which allows for great interaction.

Text:  5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

When No-one's Looking On the Farm by Zana Fraillon & Lucia Masciullo

Ever wonder what the ducks are doing when no one is watching?  What kind of "horsing around" do you think those horses are doing when you can not see them?  This funny, lift-flap book uncovers all the secrets of farm animals that you always wondered about.  Kids will crack up at some of the silliness these animals get into when no one is watching.  Great book to use with making predictions - which even most adults would guess wrong!  Looking forward to using this book with kindergarten at some point this year.  Great fun!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Bawk & Roll by Tammi Sauer

Tired of books that your kid finds hilarious and you are still shaking your head hours later trying to figure out what was so funny?  Look no more!!  In fact, you may find yourself laughing at this one more than the kid!  Marge and Lola are hitting the road with Elvis (at least the feathered version).  Unfortunately Lola and Marge are not ready to face....the BIG CROWDS!!!  Yikes!  They must overcome their fear of crowds....or their career might be over!  Hilarious.  Text and illustrations fit together to create a truly funny reading experience for both kids and adults.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Horseplay! by Karma Wilson

Farmer is quickly becoming fed up with his horses.  Every day the horses are exhausted.  Farmer decides to investigate and discovers the horses are tired because....of course...HORSEPLAY!  Farmer is furious and plots ways to make those horses behave.  This book was a big hit our house.  And he made a connection - this book and Cick, Clack Moo - that's my boy :)  Kids will enjoy the silly actions of these animals, especially the horses!


Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Cindy Moo by Lori Mortensen

"Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat and the fiddle...."
All the cows at the Diddle Farm are not sure how any cow could jump over the moon!  Cindy Moo decides she is going to prove to the other cows that SHE can jump over the moon.  She works hard and is finally able to jump over the moon one evening after it rained.  The other cows are ecstatic and are soon jumping into the fun!  A fun take on a classic nursery rhyme.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Scary Mary by Paula Bowles

Mary is very scary. When the other animals ask her to play, she scares them away. She does everything she can to make them go away. She makes signs and makes a big fuss. When she is finally alone she realizes that being scary is also very lonely. She misses the other animals and changes her mind about being scary. Adorable illustrations accompany this simple story about getting along with others. Scary Mary could be used with any level to spark discussion about treating each other nicely.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

A Friend For Einstein: The Smallest Stallion by Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner

Einstein is a mini miniature horse. He is so small that he has a hard time finding friends to play with. Einstein tries befriending all the animals at the farm. He was just not big enough to play with the others. Einstein is lonely. Finally he finds a friend, Lilly. Together the two gallop, play tag, and roll on the grass. Sure to be an instant favorite, as many "real" animal books are, with amazing photographs.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long

Otis the tractor and his friends on the farm are back again! Life on the farm is peaceful with the exception of the mean bull. None of the other animals want to go near the bull because he is so mean and scary. One day a storm blows in. The sky is dark. The wind starts howling. But Otis knows there is something different about this storm. Suddenly the storm stops and all is quiet....too quiet. Otis hears the farmer yell, "It's coming fast, get down in the cellar!" And that is when Otis realizes what is approaching....a tornado. He quickly springs into action to save his friends and leads them to a safe place to wait out the storm. But once there Otis hears a cry.....the bull is still locked in his pen. Otis must hurry to save the bull, the animal that was always so mean to him and his friends. Great story that some students may be able to relate to if they have ever been in a severe storm. We read ALOT of books at our house (and that is an understatement) BUT this is the FIRST - ONLY book that the 3 1/2 year old has actually tried to sneak in for TWO readings during the same "session"....and then requested to take it to bed with him! I think that means he likes it! I really enjoyed this one too as it is a children's picture book - that has suspense and excitement in it. I am anxious to read it to my kiddos at school to get their reaction.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Check out Loren Long's explanation for creating his Otis illustrations in his first Otis book by clicking HERE!

That Pesky Dragon by Julie Sykes

Izzie's family farm is like many farms: "A goat, a flock of sheep, some chickens, three cats, two dogs and.....A DRAGON!"?? From the time the dragon appears on the farm he has been causing havoc with his loud roar! The milk has been turned to yogurt and the eggs are boiled what is a family to do? Assuming if they stay away the dragon will just go away, the family tries hard to ignore the dragon noise. However Izzie just can't help herself. She decides to go find out why that dragon is roaring so loud.....and what she finds surprises her. Dragon-loving kiddos will love this book! Dragon-loving kid's PARENTS will love the fact that this book is not scary for little kiddos and fulfilling the need to read "big kid topic (dragons) without being scared!!!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 4 Buckeye leaves

Ping Pong Pig and Digby Takes Charge Caroline Jayne Church

Ping Pong Pig and Digby Takes Charge are books we own and I really like. I will admit the thing that first drew me to both of them....the cover art work. I think the art work is adorable. When I took it home for Adam (I got it at a book fair at my school) he liked it too. I also appreciate the fact that the book teaches a lesson - in this case - to do your part and help out. Ping Pong Pig learns this lesson after spending so much time trying to learn to fly and not so much time helping around the farm.

I was at a store in June and saw Digby Takes Charge on the shelf. I thought when I saw the cover the art work looked similar to Ping Pong Pig....and sure enough it was Church. Digby is one of the BEST sheep dogs around BUT is having trouble getting the sheep to listen to him on his new farm. He tries, unsuccessfully, various methods to get the sheep to do as they should. Finally the other animals tell Digby the secret word to get the sheep to move.....PLEASE! Love it!! All kids, and some adults, need reminded about the power of please from time to time!

And as an added bonus....no plain white endpages! woohoo!!!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 4 Buckeye leaves

Hogwash! Karma Wilson

Farmer just wants to wash the animals....is that too much to ask? Apparently, YES. He is successful in washing the horses, ducks, cows, goats, cats, and dogs....but those mischievous hogs just won't cooperate.
"The pigs got out their toolbox,
And they boarded up their pen.
No matter WHAT poor Farmer said,
They wouldn't let him in!"

A determined Farmer tries numerous ways to wash the pigs: hose, disguised as a pizza man, even a plane. The pigs will just not budge. Hogwash! is a funny rhyming book from the author of the bear books (Bear Snores On, Bear Snores On, etc) which kids of all ages will enjoy.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - funny, rhyming, kids will enjoy
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 3 Buckeye leaves

Cock-A-Doodle Quack! Quack! by Ivor Baddiel and Sophie Jubb

Baby rooster has a VERY important job. He must wake every one up in the morning. The problem is he does not know what to say. He decides to ask the pigs what they say. So of course when baby rooster tries to wake everyone up staying, "Cock-a-doodle-oin-oink!! noone wakes up. It continues in this way as baby rooster asks each animal what they would say and leaves the young readers/listeners, rolling on the ground laughing. Another older book, copyright 2007, but we love this book at our house. I think I have had it checked out for over 4 months. The three year old loves all the silly sounds, and young children will too!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Story County: Here We Come by Derek Anderson

Story County: Here We Come! is the FIRST book in a new series by Derek Anderson. According to a letter from Anderson on his website, Story County is a real place. It is located right in the middle of Iowa farm country. His grandfather had a farm and Anderson has always wanted to create a book about a farm. In Story County, each character has a personality that makes them unique and more enjoyable to read. In this first book, Farmer, Dog, Pig, Chicken, and Miss Cow are ready to make a farm. The group works very hard on the farm - building, painting, planting, and yes, accessorizing as in the case of the Miss Cow and the scarecrow (see picture above).

**Side note: Just read on his site that Cynthia Lord and Anderson are working on a sequel to Hot Rod Hamster...Happy Birthday Hamster! Very excited! And I know a certain 3 year old at our house that will be VERY VERY EXCITED!!

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves - anxious to see how this story develops!
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves (love the bright colors)

Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.derekanderson.net/