On the Farm

On the Farm

About the Book

New York Times best-selling author and a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator evoke life on a farm in a simple, lyrical text and boldly expressive images.

From the bull to the barn cat to the wild bunny, the farmyard bustles with life. The rooster crows, the rams clash, the bees buzz, and over there in the garden, a snake — silent and alone — winds and watches. David Elliott’s graceful, simple verse and Holly Meade’s exquisite woodcut and watercolor illustrations capture a world that is at once timeless yet disappearing from view — the world of the family farm.
Read more
Close

Praise for On the Farm

From an alluring cover with a rooster in full crow to its concluding, gently ironic ode to the silence of rabbits, this book will make an unusually interesting choice for farm-animal storytimes.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

Handsome…From toddlers to the youngest poets, children will delight in the fun and beauty on display here.
—Booklist (starred review)

Meade’s beautiful, color woodblock prints that superbly reflect the mood and action in the poetry.
—School Library Journal

Energetic woodcuts accompany playfully simple poems as they give young readers an engaging tour of the barnyard…a worthwhile addition.
—Kirkus Reviews

[The text is] pithy and crisply rhymed, making for easy reading and listening…Meade’s watercolored woodblock illustrations are elegant yet homely, cheerfully depicting the unpolished charm of a well-filled pigpen.
—BCCB

Like the vibrant rooster on this oversize book's jacket, Meade's colored woodcut prints are so bold they seem to crow at the reader.
—Publishers Weekly

Elliott’s verses capture a reverence for animals unfamiliar to cityfolk, and Meade’s watercolor and woodcut illustrations…are serene and beautiful.
—BookPage

Brings the entire barnyard to life.
—Playthings

David Elliott s short snappy rhymes pair perfectly with Holly Meade’s energetic woodcut watercolor illustrations.
—Antelope Valley Press

The woodblock prints and watercolors…are detailed and enchanting.
—The Capital Times

An enchantingly illustrated poetic ode to barnyard life.
—Midwest Book Review

This is one picture book that your preschooler will want read over and over again.
—Eclectic Homeschool Online

Simple and lyrical.
—Central Coast Freelance

David Elliott’s graceful, simple verse and Holly Meade’s exquisite woodcut and watercolor illustrations capture a world that is at once timeless yet disappearing from view — the world of the family farm.
—Anokaberry blog

Pleasingly simple yet verbally sophisticated verses…large, delightfully bold, animated woodcuts…begs to be read aloud.
—SLJ’s Curriculum Connections

Deliciously old-fashioned.
—Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2009

A delightful collection of poems that are funny, beautifully descriptive, and perfect for reading out loud.
—Through the Looking Glass Reviews
Read more
Close

Paws, Fins, Feathers, Claws Series

In the Desert
At the Poles
At the Pond
In the Woods
In the Past
On the Wing
In the Sea
In the Wild
On the Farm

About the Author

David Elliott
David Elliott says that his sister really does have a cat with one eye and that she was the inspiration for the cat in this story (the cat, not the sister). More by David Elliott
Decorative Carat

About the Author

Holly Meade
David Elliott says that his sister really does have a cat with one eye and that she was the inspiration for the cat in this story (the cat, not the sister). More by Holly Meade
Decorative Carat

By clicking submit, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime.

Random House Publishing Group