The Little Farm

Mr. Small #5

by Lois Lenski

Farmer Small takes care of hungry cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and more—all in just one day! Throughout the year, he keeps his farm running smoothly by plowing the fields and selling fruits and vegetables.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

Lois Lenore Lenski Covey was an influential American author and illustrator whose work reshaped twentieth-century children’s literature through its combination of artistic skill, documentary realism, and deep empathy for childhood experience. Beginning her publishing career in the late 1920s, she went on to write and illustrate nearly one hundred books, ranging from picture books and historical novels to regional fiction, poetry, songbooks, and literary essays. She is best known for the Mr. Small picture book series, her meticulously researched historical novels, and her groundbreaking Regional books, which portrayed the everyday lives of children across diverse American communities.
Born in Ohio and trained formally as both an educator and an artist, Lenski studied at Ohio State University, the Art Students League of New York, and the Westminster School of Art in London. Although she initially aspired to be a painter, exhibiting work in New York galleries, she gradually turned to illustration and then to writing, encouraged by pioneering children’s editor Helen Dean Fish. Her early books drew heavily on her Midwestern childhood, while later works reflected extensive travel, field research, and close observation of family and community life.
Lenski achieved major critical recognition with her historical novels Phebe Fairchild: Her Book and Indian Captive, and with her Regional novel Strawberry Girl, which won the Newbery Medal. These works were notable for their commitment to authenticity, incorporating dialect, material culture, and social realities often avoided in children’s books of the era. She believed that literature for young readers should neither sentimentalize nor sanitize life, but instead foster understanding, tolerance, and empathy.
Alongside her own writing, Lenski illustrated works by other major authors, including Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could and the early volumes of Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy series. Her influence extended beyond publishing through lectures, teaching, and advocacy. In 1967 she established the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, dedicated to providing books to children facing social and economic disadvantage.
In her later years, Lenski continued writing while living in Florida, publishing her autobiography Journey into Childhood shortly before her death. Her legacy endures through her books, her educational philosophy, and ongoing efforts to expand access to literature for children.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition of The Little Farm was written in 1942, so the farming methods portrayed here are distinctly old-fashioned, and distinctly, wonderfully nostalgic. And you know, little kids aren't going to necessarily know or care that farmers don't farm this way any more. Little kids are just going to like Farmer Small, they're going to enjoy watching him work his farm, and they are going to enjoy the streamlined, elegant, simple story that is just tailor-made for them. Lois Lenski is a new favorite of my nephew and mine.

[Vanna Bells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book because the author's foundation has a grant for bookmobiles for children.

I didn't notice in the other book "Cowboy Small" but the main character's facial expressions seem conceited. Or he's just overly proud of accomplishing his tasks...

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby - 3 years

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, the old-timey illustrations with me! Also, this book represents a very different model of farming than we have today. The healthy kind.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very dated and definitely not THE book to read now. But all in all it was cute, the pictures were nice and sweetly drawn, the story line is dated as well with the equipment being used but other wise not horrible.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the new release pictures just fine but nothing beats the old vintage illustrations of this sweet book. The story of Mr. Small is very simple but the pictures are what really tell the story. I love this book and will make sure my grandson has a copy.

[Elizabeth Cusick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It explains what is on a farm, what animals are there, what tools like tractors are used and what the farmer does in the winter time and throughout the year.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another big hit with my boys. Lois Lenski strikes again!

[Mely · Rating 5 out of 5]

these mr. small series of books are timeless classics and we love them. the stories and illustrations are so adorable.

[Brian Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. A must have for the small collection by Lois Lenski!

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming little book, inspired by Lois Lenski's observations of her young son and his friends playing with their toy trucks.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice simple read for little hands. There isn't much of a plot so if the hands turn pages quickly, no big loss. The pictures are what you would expect of Lenski.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about the daily chores of Farmer Small. Simple book and nice illustrations.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book about a farmer and his farm. 2 year old liked it too

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book in the library at Science Leadership Academy (SLA) and was interested enough to check it out, since I love children's picture books and as a Spanish teacher, I'm always on the look out for new books for the classroom.

Sadly, I feel this book is a bit dull and outdated, and unless you have children/students who are already familiar with and fond of the 'Little/Small' series by Lenski, you shouldn't waste your time reading it.

On a positive note, it is a very short read with basic vocabulary related to a farm that would possibly interest very young children and help them in vocabulary development/reading ability.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten about this lovely little series of books until I ran into it at the library yesterday. Lois Lenski is amazing. I love her darling, simple pictures. And the story is also beautiful. Classic.

[Partridge Public]

Lenski, Lois K-1st

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

had no idea that there was more than one book about the "small". great book. shows how busy the life of a farmer truly is.

[T Crockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't resist Lenski's illustrations. In this book I particularly love that there's an image of horses being used to work the field.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations and short, descriptive sentences on every page. Cody is 2 and loves this book!

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

3* art
3* story