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The Jolly Barnyard
It’s Farmer Brown’s birthday, and the animals are deciding what they’ll do for him on his special day.
“Cluck! I will give him eggs,” said the hen. / Said the rooster, “I’ll wake him in the mornings, then.” / “Baa-aa, we’ll give him wool,” said the sheep. / “For our fleece is soft and warm and deep.”
“Cluck! I will give him eggs,” said the hen. / Said the rooster, “I’ll wake him in the mornings, then.” / “Baa-aa, we’ll give him wool,” said the sheep. / “For our fleece is soft and warm and deep.”
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
11 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Annie North Bedford
76 books15 followersAnnie North Bedford is the pen name of Jane Werner Watson. She was a major contributor of the Golden Books based upon the Walt Disney films.
She died in 2004.
She died in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 2, 2018
Ian likes anything with animals, but I have to laugh everytime I read this. "Gosh, that farmer is great. He takes such good care of us. He can eat me and my children!!"
August 31, 2017
This was one of those ever-present Golden Books in my youth and one that like many others that were published revolved around the farm. Unlike many other ones the reader is introduced to the farmer first who is celebrating his birthday and doing so in such a fashion he then introduces the reader to his farm.
What was fun and enjoyable about this was the fact that even though it seems that farmer is celebrating by treating his animals as an adult reader I am wondering isn't this part of his chores anyway? But outside the adult musings this book had a small rhyming poem on each page as you were introduced to the animals and then of course the response of the animals to the kind treatment that they received in celebration of the farmer's birthday.
Like most of the Golden Book illustrations these ones are nice and brightly colored while keeping that nice realistic touch that the farm books are rather known for. As a result you really get to visit the farm as you allow young readers to read this book to you or if you read it to them (just to keep it fun as well as interactive have the children make the animal sounds before you read their answer).
Most definitely a fun and quick read as well as one that children who are learning to read should most assuredly enjoy.
What was fun and enjoyable about this was the fact that even though it seems that farmer is celebrating by treating his animals as an adult reader I am wondering isn't this part of his chores anyway? But outside the adult musings this book had a small rhyming poem on each page as you were introduced to the animals and then of course the response of the animals to the kind treatment that they received in celebration of the farmer's birthday.
Like most of the Golden Book illustrations these ones are nice and brightly colored while keeping that nice realistic touch that the farm books are rather known for. As a result you really get to visit the farm as you allow young readers to read this book to you or if you read it to them (just to keep it fun as well as interactive have the children make the animal sounds before you read their answer).
Most definitely a fun and quick read as well as one that children who are learning to read should most assuredly enjoy.
March 17, 2017
This has been a favorite since I was a young child, and is a favorite for my children as well
February 11, 2009
I used to read this book (using animal voices for the horses and cows and sheep and chickens and rooster and cats and dog and ducks) to my kids when they were but wee. Then, we went to europe for seven years and left this book- almost all of our books- in storage. When we came back to the States and got our stuff out of storage, my older girls (20, 18, 16 and 12 at the time) dug 'The Jolly Barnyard" out of a book box and all ran into our bedroom, hopped on the bed and said "Dad, read us The Jolly Barnyard!" What a joyous moment for me.
P.S. All six of my kids are readers- you bet!
P.S. All six of my kids are readers- you bet!
April 24, 2014
This is a good book for teaching barnyard terms, rhyme, and charting. Each animal got x food and gave each gift.
August 22, 2017
Nice book for little ones.
January 5, 2018
I don't know what children love about books with animals, but my toddler loves this one. We read it multiple times a day.
May 29, 2018
Kids will love this fun story as the animals decide what they are going to do for Farmer Brown's Birthday.
October 30, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book and liked how the author described all the animals jobs on the farm.
November 12, 2019
A well thought out little book that teaches kids the purpose for each farm animal and the noises they make. Some of the sentences didn’t rhyme as they should though.
June 8, 2020
A nice compilation of a farm family's day.
October 23, 2020
Classic. Kids kept coming back to it for years.
October 6, 2021
Als "Festtag auf dem Bauernhof" gelest (Carlsen Verlag 1977 von The Jolly Barnyard 1950). Süss, altmödisch, viele tiere. So so la la.
December 30, 2021
Really cute and wholesome book for almost no reason whatsoever. The turkey’s birthday gift is mad disturbing, though.
(G rating)
(G rating)
May 3, 2022
One of my favorite children's books!
March 26, 2024
Youtube
January 13, 2025
This was my favorite book when I was little. I still love it! I read it at least once every year.
February 3, 2025
Grandson, R, loved!
December 18, 2025
3.5 This one was okay. Kinda cute. A short story with all the animals.
Gave to Bakers.
Gave to Bakers.
August 3, 2016
Annie North Bradford, The Jolly Barnyard (Golden Press, 1950)
Now, this one...I'm not entirely sure what to say about it. In the 1950s, it probably went by without anyone batting an eyelash, but in 2013, I'm kind of amazed that some of the more nutbaggish animal-rights groups haven't been all over this book. The storyline is relatively simple: on the farmer's birthday, he goes out and gives all the animals a treat, and then they have a quick confab about how each of them can give back. Most of it is about what you'd expect (the horses will pull the wagon with extra vigor, the cow will work on high-quality milk, etc), but then you get to Mr. Turkey, who, he alleges, will never be so proud as when he offers up his neck to the axe. Though, granted, it is not put quite so crudely (he mentions “decorat[ing] his Thanksgiving table”), but still, you can see where They Who Shall Not Be Named would have a huge problem with the idea that an animal would go willingly to the slaughter. It raised my eyebrows, and the only thing I like better than turkey on Thanksgiving is stuffing scooped straight outta the bird (and fie on those who tell me I'm courting food poisoning). If you are affiliated with, or sympathetic to, said nutbaggish animal-rights groups, check this one out of the library before deciding whether you want to add it to the permanent collection; everyone else, harvest a pound or so of cranberries before cracking this one open. You may need them. ** ½
Now, this one...I'm not entirely sure what to say about it. In the 1950s, it probably went by without anyone batting an eyelash, but in 2013, I'm kind of amazed that some of the more nutbaggish animal-rights groups haven't been all over this book. The storyline is relatively simple: on the farmer's birthday, he goes out and gives all the animals a treat, and then they have a quick confab about how each of them can give back. Most of it is about what you'd expect (the horses will pull the wagon with extra vigor, the cow will work on high-quality milk, etc), but then you get to Mr. Turkey, who, he alleges, will never be so proud as when he offers up his neck to the axe. Though, granted, it is not put quite so crudely (he mentions “decorat[ing] his Thanksgiving table”), but still, you can see where They Who Shall Not Be Named would have a huge problem with the idea that an animal would go willingly to the slaughter. It raised my eyebrows, and the only thing I like better than turkey on Thanksgiving is stuffing scooped straight outta the bird (and fie on those who tell me I'm courting food poisoning). If you are affiliated with, or sympathetic to, said nutbaggish animal-rights groups, check this one out of the library before deciding whether you want to add it to the permanent collection; everyone else, harvest a pound or so of cranberries before cracking this one open. You may need them. ** ½
December 29, 2023
It’s the farmer’s birthday! He is celebrating it with a cheerful mood and by feeding his livestock. The barnyard animals show their appreciation by giving him milk, wool, and anything else the farmer needs.
The Jolly Barnyard was not one of my favorite books. It felt disconnected with no real purpose. I was expecting the animals to gather together and surprise their farmer at the end of the book. Instead, the farmer enjoyed his birthday cake with his wife alone in the farmhouse.
Although, for a child who loves animals (especially barnyard animals) this book is an ideal and colorful read. It engages the children and helps them to recognize compassion; not only for the animals but the farmer, as well!
The Jolly Barnyard was not one of my favorite books. It felt disconnected with no real purpose. I was expecting the animals to gather together and surprise their farmer at the end of the book. Instead, the farmer enjoyed his birthday cake with his wife alone in the farmhouse.
Although, for a child who loves animals (especially barnyard animals) this book is an ideal and colorful read. It engages the children and helps them to recognize compassion; not only for the animals but the farmer, as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2010
It's Farmer Brown's birthday and he is taking care of all his farm animals. The animals later share what they each will give Farmer Brown for his birthday.
This cute and colorfully illustrated book which is written in rhyme is a charming short story for little children to enjoy. It is a good book for the children who love farm stories or for those who want to introduce their children to farm animals.
This cute and colorfully illustrated book which is written in rhyme is a charming short story for little children to enjoy. It is a good book for the children who love farm stories or for those who want to introduce their children to farm animals.
June 19, 2009
My Grandma read this book to me as a child in the 50's, I read it to my kids in the 80's and now to my grandkids. It has also been released as The Happy Farm Animals. It has wonderful rhyming verse and beautiful illustrations, plus it teaches all the farm animals and their sounds. I know the words by heart and so do my kids.
April 15, 2012
The Jolly Barnyard was originally published in 1950. So its illustrations are bit old, but good. The storyline is silly but interesting. All the barnyard animals get together and think of nice things they can do for Farmer Browns birthday. This is a good book to use to talk about being nice and helpful.
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July 27, 2011A children's classic that is a little dated now, which leads to hilarity The best part is when the animals are explaining what they are going to do for Farmer Brown's birthday. The Turkey pledges to decorate the farmer's table. How incredibly selfless!
October 15, 2011
"The Jolly Barnyard" in a wonderful story for young readers. It takes the reader on a tour of a farm. Animal noises and scenes are present throughout this short story. I would share this with a young class. It would keep the attention of the little ones.
March 22, 2010
Has a lot of good rhymes. I don't like the part about the turkey on the table! We try to get as many farm themed books as possible.
December 19, 2011
This was my favorite book as a little girl. I now get to read it to my niece and nephew.
February 17, 2012
I remember this book vaguely. The cover illustration tells me that I read this book as a very small child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews