Tractor

by Craig McFarland Brown

A farmer uses his tractor to prepare the soil, plant seeds, harvest corn, and haul it away to be sold.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature

24 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

Craig McFarland Brown is a published author and an illustrator of children's books. Some of the published credits of Craig McFarland Brown include How Do You Raise a Raisin?, Barn Raising.

For 25 years, Craig Brown has been writing and illustrating books. Known as “Farmer Brown” to the schools and children he visits, Craig is easily recognized by his many books about farming. He also teaches and visits schools throughout the United States and abroad to promote creativity and the arts.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like it was written for my boys. Tractors? Farming? Farming equipment? Hearing my kids say "harrow" and "cultivator" as they study the glossary of farm terms in the back? Yes. A million times over.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tractor takes the reader through a corn planting season showing all the work the tractor does, from preparing the soil, to planting, to harvesting. The text is simple and describes each aspect using clear statements of “then the tractor…” going from one step to the next. The illustrations are done in pastels with pen and ink and are striking and detailed, accurately depicting the actions of the tractor, the surroundings, and small details of farm life. Time passing is cleverly illustrated by a pair of robins, first showing the pair with one having nesting material in its beak, the next gathering worms, the next feeding the young, and eventually the pair sitting on a telephone wire with their pair of young. After the story there is a two-page spread showing each machine that was mentioned in the story and giving a brief description of each and how it works/what it does. Tractor offers a surprising amount of detailed information using a very simple format, and it’s beautiful and detailed illustrations make the book such a joy to read and appealing to both boys and girls.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for tractor fans and for discussing the progression of farming through the year; shows each piece of equipment in turn in use in raising corn-- manure spreader, plow, disc, harrow, seeder, cultivator, cornpicker, wagon. (Even though I was raised on a farm, I didn't realize that people used cornpickers on sweet corn!) Nicely detailed illustrations, with animals in them (spot the fox!) in a style reminiscent of Jerry Pinckney (though with white characters). My son at 3 was a little young for this, but at 6 enjoyed it. May play even better with children with more rural experience than my suburban kid, but a good introduction to the farming year nonetheless.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very neat book that helps shows children what various jobs tractors do from the very first jobs the ground needs it to the very end when the produce is done. Illustrations are wonderfully done in this book as well.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tractor book for my tractor-obsessed storyhour kids.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple book about a tractor and all the things is does on the farm. I really enjoyed the earthy colored illustrations.

[Sarah May · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review at http://littlebooksontheprairie.wordpr...

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the attachments to a tractor for farming, and the process of tending the field. I like that the farm is alive with people and animals.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A farmer uses his tractor to prepare the soil, plant seeds, harvest corn, and haul it away to be sold.

[Sarah Truluck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. It described what a tractor does very well. I chose this book, because I used to live on a farm where there were tractors so the title stood out to me.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious young readers will enjoy the many farm machines illustrated in this book. A glossary with additional illustrations and definitions of each machine's job is included.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a good book to teach kids about farming. my kids enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to others.