Books About Farms and Rural America for Kids

Living in the extreme northwest corner of New Jersey is one of the most rural areas of the state. Let's celebrate with great children's books about farms and rural American life. These types of books can help us connect kids to nature and even teach our children where their food comes from.

Updated June 16, 2026
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Stanley the farmer
Bee, William
Paper Book
It's another busy day for Stanley and friends on the farm! From plowing the field, to planting and watering the seeds, to harvesting the wheat--all on his trusty red tractor, big green combine, blue baler, and trailer--Stanley the hamster has a lot to do on his farm. Luckily, his...
Big red barn
Brown, Margaret Wise,
Paper Book
Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps, has charmed generations of children. As in her classic Goodnight Moon, Brown engages children and helps settle them down for sleep as they follow along...
Farm
Cooper, Elisha.
Paper Book
Society of Illustrators 2006 Gold Medal recipient, Elisha Cooper, captures the smell, taste, and feel of the changing seasons on a farm.Society of Illustrators 2006 Gold Medal recipient, Elisha Cooper, captures the smell, taste, and feel of the changing seasons on a farm.There is so much to look at...
I Can Help on the Farm
Costello, David.
Paper Book
Featuring adorable farm animals, this is the third installment in the I Can Help picture book series that illustrates the rippling effects of kindness - perfect for toddlers, preschools, and as a baby shower gift. Uh-oh. Duck is lost. But don't worry. From dogs...
Farmer Will
Cowen-Fletcher, Jane.
Paper Book
A young farmer brings his toy barnyard to life in Jane Cowen-Fletcher’s idyllic celebration of the innocence and wonder of childhood. Will loves farm animals. He loves to say, Neigh! Moo! Baa! and Wink! He has a special farmer’s hat and his own little horse, cow, sheep, and pig. His...
Our friendly farmhouse
Ferguson, Melissa
Paper Book
Breathe in fresh, country air and dream of a slower, simpler, sweeter life in this poetic story about building a homestead with heart from bestselling novelist Melissa Ferguson. One day Papa burst into the kitchen with a wild idea. What if the family moved to the country What...
Thank a farmer
Gianferrari, Maria
Paper Book
Bread, milk, wool, fruits, and vegetables: things that fill our day to day lives. But where, and who, do they come from? Across wheat fields and city rooftop gardens, mushroom beds and maple forests, Thank a Farmer traces the food and clothing that a family uses back to the people who harvested...
Your farm
Klassen, Jon
Paper Book
"A simultaneously empowering and instructive bedtime tale." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) From the incomparable Jon Klassen, one in a trio of companion board books for the youngest of children This is your sun. It is coming up for...
City Summer, Country Summer
Laymon, Kiese
Paper Book
CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR HONOR BOOK . A lyrical picture book from the award-winning author of Heavy, about three Black boys who form a deep connection during a transformative summer trip down South to visit family. On the ground of that garden, covered in...
Farmer duck
Waddell, Martin.
Ebook
A hardworking duck is rescued from life with a lazy old farmer in this classic tale of justice. Farmer Duck isn't your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm-all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these...
Farmer boy
Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Audiobook
The Story of a boy named Almanzo Wilder...While Laura Ingalls grows up on the western prairie, a boy named Almanzo Wilder is living on a farm in New York State. Almanzo and his brother and sisters work at their chores from dawn until supper most days -- no matter what the weather. There is still...

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