On the Farm Topic

What the Ladybird Heard is a huge favourite amongst preschoolers, parents and teachers. With everything from farm animals and minibeasts to sneaky crooks and fantastic lilting rhymes, this brightly illustrated story from national treasure Julia Donaldson is a clear winner for storytimes in the Early Years.

Young children love joining in the repeated refrains of animal sounds and seeing the plot unfold as the cunning little ladybird saves the day by helping her farmyard friends outsmart two burglars looking to steal the prize cow.

A classroom classic from an author-illustrator dream team.

An oldie but a goodie, Farmer Duck is one of my all time favourite books for so many reasons, not least because of the way it demonstrates the power of friendship and working together. A poor, overworked duck is made to slave away on the farm by the lazy old farmer, who spends all day in bed. Seeing their friend so sleepy and weepy and tired, the other animals decide to take a stand! They tiptoe up to the farmer’s bedroom, tumble him out of bed and chase him away! Then they all pitch in together to run their farm. For me, this book is a total classic!

I learnt a lot from this book and found myself intrigued by the novel farming practices described in its pages, e.g. the underwater biosphere in Italy.

In addition, the pictures of people are quirky and appealing although perhaps the inclusion of some photographs would have helped. That said, the presentation is pleasing (a double-page spread per example); the accompanying text, in clear font, supplemented by more detailed information about each ‘farm’ at the end of the book, complete with a World map, is just right; and the concluding overview explaining sustainable farming and food justice likewise

I would also encourage children to read the Author’s and Illustrator’s Notes and brief biographies as an insight into the book’s conception.

This book is perfectly pitched for KS1 Geography lessons, but I can see it being enjoyed by Eco Councils and individual children who’ve become aware of global environmental issues. It will give them a little hope, and perhaps some ideas too.