Farm Fun

A selection of farm related books for children young and old;

Farm Fun: Seven stories from Green Willow Farm, including farewell to the swallows, in the woods, fun in the snow, and the scarecrow. Published by Blackie c1944. Written by Elizabeth Gould with super colour and black/white illustrations by Eileen Soper.

The Tractor by Pamela Rogers; The old tractor has broken down once and for all. It seems as if the only answer is to sell it, but Grandpa won't give up, there must be some other way. Portrait of a Country Artist: Charles Tunnicliffe was raised on a small farm in Cheshire. The only son of a country farmer, he was expected to take over his father's smallholding, but his talent as an artist set him apart and instead of farming he took a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London. His first major success came in 1932 with his illustrations for Tarka the otter from this brilliant start he went on to illustrate dozens of books for well-known authors. He also produced several books of his own. This book features a sample from Tunnicliffe's enormous output of work. Ian Niall's portrait described the life of a down-to-earth countryman and totally dedicated artist. Charlotte's Webb by E. B White; Children will be entranced with Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig and Fern, the little girl who understands their language. 

Charlie on the run by Elizabeth Rose; Nobody can plough a straighter furrow or manage a wagon load of hay better than Fred the ploughman and Charlie his old horse. Charlie and Fred do everything together, even eating their lunch at the same time. However, one terrible day a snorting monster comes roaring across the yard with Mr. Greenshanks at the wheel. Mr. Greenshanks is sure the new tractor will plough twice as fast as Charlie and plans to sell Charlie at the next horse fair...

Strangers at the farm school by Josephine Elder The Farm School has become so popular it needs to be enlarged to accommodate more students, among the new students are two Jewish refugees.Annis Best and the older pupils must unite to welcome the newcomers and preserve the unique character of the school. Timothy John and Mr. Murphy by George Nash: Mr. Murphy is an Irish farmer and Timothy John his unpredictable donkey. Timmy the donkey can roller-skate and talk and is therefore, much coveted by Mr. Fracklestein, the manager of the circus... Down on the farm by R. & M. Polkinghorne Jerry goes on a visit to Dovecot farm. Pretty book with illustrations by Ernest Aris.

Among the horses by Chas Herbert; While staying with Farmer Bicknell the twins Judy and Jude learn to ride a pony. Old MacDonald had a farm illustrated by Prue Theobalds; Sing along with Old MacDonald as you follow him through the year, from lambing in the spring to the Christmas celebrations. Lucy Mouse keeps a secret by Jane Pilgrim; The very popular Blackberry Farm books were first published by the Brockhampton Press in the 1950s; this one is a reprint from 2002. The series described events on a fictional farm and the lives of  Mr. and Mrs. Smiles and their children, Joy and Bob.

Do you have any farm books in your collection?

Update July 2016: All the books featured are now sold. March House books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I am still happily blogging here at March of Time Books. Your visits are always appreciated.