The Animals of Farmer Jones

by Leah Gale, Richard Scarry (Illustrator)

Published 50 years ago, this simple, satisfying story is illustrated in Richard Scarry's early, more painterly style.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Classics, Agriculture

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Katie J Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, I'm not going to go back and find every single picture book from my childhood...I'm putting this up because it was probably one of my first books. It's the first one I can remember asking for over and over and over, at least.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book taught me to always feed my animals before I feed myself.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: It is supper time on the farm. The animals are very hungry. But where is Farmer Jones?

Premise/plot: The Animals of Farmer Jones is a classic Little Golden Book. This one was originally published in 1942. Half the book is spent visiting ALL the animals on the farm--every one must make its sound after all--who want to know where Farmer Jones is. The other half of the book focuses on Farmer Jones visiting ALL the animals and feeding them.

My thoughts: Is this the most thrilling farm book? Perhaps it isn't. But it has all the elements you'd expect: a wide variety of farm animals, all the animal sounds, repetition of the text, predictability. The illustrations are by Richard Scarry. They are fabulous illustrations.

If reading about farm animals is part of your life now as a parent, a grandparent, a guardian, then you might as well read a few classics as well.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it the most amazing book ever written? Obviously not. How cool is it that it is one of the first Little Golden Books. When this book was first published it was only 25 cents. Allowing several children the opportunity to own a book. Little Golden Books will hold a special place in my heart forever.

[grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

lol i read this because i hate odd numbers & i had read an odd amount of books this year. i found one of my little brother's books that I could read in a couple of mins because it is almost midnight. lol cute little book.

[Pennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter is going through a farm animal phase, so this book was a great hit.

I was greatly amused by the fact that this is a story about a farmer Jones who was not timely in feeding the animals in his farm. This also happened in the beginning of Animal Farm...

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the archived copy on openlibrary.org. Very cute, would work as a leveled reader because of the repetition. I would have enjoyed this when I was young, and it would have been fun to read with my boys when they were little.

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy of this Little Golden Book is an oversized version that I've had since I was a little girl. I have always loved the Richard Scarry's detailed illustrations and the sweet, simple story.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals of Farmer Jones are hungry for their meals. Farmer Jones feeds them all before bedtime.

[Varpu Reiniaho]

Vintage/antique project

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story when I was growing up 50+ years ago. It would be interesting to see if has withstood the test of time.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read to my own kids in 2021 (it's one of my childhood books) but I never accounted for it before. Will LOVED this book as a toddler.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our favorite books to read together. My son loves hearing me do all the animal voices, plus I practice the animal signs I know. "Farmer" is a fun sign too.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I did have as a child although I think my version may have been the original illustrations if there is such a thing. Anyway this one we found at the thrift story was the Richard Scarry-illustrated one.

For an adult reading it for the first time or re-reading it in their adult years the text itself can be a bit bland as it is repetitive but the youngest children enjoy having it read to them. As I was reading it to my niece I would point at the animal when it came to the animal sound part and get her to make the animal sounds as we were reading thus making it interactive. Afterwards she would flip through the book and retell the story in a very brief way, which made it cut but repeating the same guidelines as the tale itself.

The illustrations are gorgeous and realistic that you won't have any problems telling the animals from what they should be. Basically this book is a nice book for teaching manners, animals and their sounds, and the fact that we shouldn't take our responsibilities lightly when it comes to other living things.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this one from A Family Treasury of Little Golden Books: 46 Best-Loved Stories. Cute for animal sounds and repetition.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book twice a day before nap and bedtime. It's her absolute favorite and she requests it by name. Although it got old quickly for me, she can't get enough. She's into piggies right now, and although we have lots of pig books, I am still scrambling at the library to find all manner of pig books (she's particular to pigs on farms, rather than personified pigs). Any recommendations?

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read this book in years-- not since my Great Grandmother Hunt read it to me as a child. It still stands up as a wonderfully illustrated children's classic, to be enjoyed by even the youngest kids. My rosy-colored memories were not disappointed by reading it again.

[Tiny Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaah! Favorite Little Golden book ever! The illustrations are so beautiful! Colorful and vividly detailed. Really, I'm in awe. There's no doubt Richard Scarry's one of the most popular and talented Little Golden artists ever! :)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very fun and good for young children. It would be an educational opportunity when teaching children animal recognition and relating an animal to the noise that animal makes. It is repetitive and easy for young minds to follow along and comprehend.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, I don't know. Boring little rhyme. I'm sure that there are plenty of kids out there that would be into this, but it's not from my childhood, and I just don't see the point of it. I like the vintage illustrations though. I really like Richard Scarry illustrations. The text itself -- meh.

[Cws]

JE-Gol-G

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chloe really seems to enjoy this one - mostly the animal sounds, but she really stares at the colorful pictures.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

4* art
3* story

Lots of fun - Squirt and I practice the sounds each animal makes. And Richard Scarry's illustrations are charming.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the pictures in this book as a child, they were some of my favourites.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! Great illustrations and a fun little story. It's a great learning tool to teach animals and their noises.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic children's story of a farmer and his animals. Nice illustrations by Richard Scarry.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A read me 98% of this book on her own! 😭🥳🍾 I’m getting a little reader!