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Open the Barn Door
Illustrated in full color. Open the barn door and take a tour around the barnyard to find out just who's making all those wonderful animal sounds.
22 pages, Board book
First published April 6, 1993
About the author
Christopher Santoro
108 books7 followersChristopher Santoro has been illustrating children’s books for more than thirty years. He is the illustrator of Grandpappy Snippy Snappies; A Pie Went By, a NEST Literary Classic; and the Dom DeLuise picture books Charlie the Caterpillar, Hansel and Gretel, The Nightingale, and King Bob’s New Clothes. Christopher has been honored by the Society of Illustrators, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the American Library Association, and The New Yorker. He lives in Key West, FL, with two cats, Ernie and Truman, and a dog, Stuart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 1, 2015
Completely unrealistic portrayal of animals on a farm...but that's all that's really appropriate for children. Fun lift-the-flap board book with lots of different animals and the sounds they make. Wish it were a little more consistent in how it named the animals to aid in predictability--like why is it a pony instead of the expected horse? Why suddenly jump from naming single animals (e.g. "A pig") for the first 4 animals to plural on spread #5 with "ducklings"--without even any hint that we'd be talking about baby animals on this page? Nice illustrations, sturdy format, and nice compact size for little hands.
August 23, 2023
More learning on animal sounds. This one starts with the sound and then baby lifts the flap to discover the noisy animal. I liked the illustrations on this, which felt very child-like.
March 20, 2020
The 4 stars is mostly the baby's rating. I'm so sick of reading this book a thousand times a day.
Open The Barn Door is a flap book. Kids have to open the flaps to see what animal is hiding. The “story” is tedious for adults, but the baby loves this book. We’ve read it approximately a billion times. Baby (1 year old) understood the flap concept quickly. She’s grabs the flaps as fast as I can turn the pages. This book is definitely a hit with the small humans.
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Open The Barn Door is a flap book. Kids have to open the flaps to see what animal is hiding. The “story” is tedious for adults, but the baby loves this book. We’ve read it approximately a billion times. Baby (1 year old) understood the flap concept quickly. She’s grabs the flaps as fast as I can turn the pages. This book is definitely a hit with the small humans.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense?
I have a blog for that.
October 18, 2018
Apparently, goats say “meh”
April 22, 2019
16 month old loves this. The flaps might be difficult for baby fingers to open at first. Illustrations provide opportunities to ask questions and make it even more interactive. E.g. Who says quack? Is it the frog? / How many hens are in this picture? / Can you point to the shoes?
April 23, 2024
5 stars for the pure delight and giggles it caused.
August 20, 2024
Keeps you on your toes. “Who says neigh?” You’d think you know the answer. Perhaps you said “a horse.” Nope. “A pony.”
Great opportunity to sharpen my animal noises. But lacking narrative.
Great opportunity to sharpen my animal noises. But lacking narrative.
April 2, 2020
With a title as terrifyingly evil as "Open the Barn Door", I was unsure about what was to creep out of the pages. Clammy, trembling hands, gripping the thick paper stock... what manner of horror, dismemberment and gore lay ahead of me? Jump scare after smiley jump scare is what, with each creature greeting me with a friendly hello in their native language. Except for goats, who most certainly do not say "meh". (Everyone knows goats hail from the underworld and speak many languages, some not known to this earthly plane. But never "meh".) A riveting page turner.
December 2, 2011
The animals play peek-a-boo with me in this book. I like the peep, peep, peep of the chick and the who-who-who of the owl. Mama and Daddy took me to see some of the animals that are in this book and guess what? The baby cow actually looked like the baby cow in this book and mooed like crazy. It was a little scary because she was so loud and big, but once I got used to what she was doing, I kind of liked her.
September 10, 2015
Adorable, if a little inconsistent in naming choices. We always read the story as "Who says Moo?" pause, open the flap, and then say, "A cow says Moo," just for emphasis. Our littles dutifully repeat cow or moo and then we're off to the next page. After thirty or forty rounds of this book I doubt if any of us need to turn the pages or open the flaps while 'reading', which just showcases how much they love this little story.
April 5, 2026
Open the Barn Door is an absolute delight from start to finish—a joyful, interactive reading experience that captures everything wonderful about children’s books. From its inviting premise to its charming illustrations and rhythmic storytelling, this book is the kind that quickly becomes a nightly favorite. It’s not just a story—it’s an experience, one that invites curiosity, laughter, and participation on every page.
At its core, the book follows a simple but magical concept: each page encourages the reader to “open the barn door” and discover which animal is waiting inside. This repeated structure is brilliant for young children. It builds anticipation in a way that feels almost like a game—what’s behind the door this time? A cow? A pig? A horse? The excitement never fades, even on repeated reads. In fact, the predictability combined with surprise is exactly what makes it so effective for early childhood engagement.
The language is simple, rhythmic, and perfectly suited for read-aloud sessions. There’s a musicality to the phrasing that makes it easy for kids to follow along, and before long, they start chiming in themselves. That’s one of the book’s greatest strengths—it transforms passive listening into active participation. Kids aren’t just hearing the story; they’re in it. They’re guessing, shouting out answers, mimicking animal sounds, and eagerly turning pages.
And speaking of animal sounds—this book absolutely shines in that department. Each reveal comes with an opportunity for fun, exaggerated noises that kids love to imitate. It’s the kind of book that fills a room with giggles and enthusiastic “MOO!” and “OINK!” sounds. For parents, caregivers, or educators, it’s a fantastic tool for encouraging speech development, sound recognition, and confidence in young readers.
The illustrations deserve just as much praise. Bright, colorful, and full of personality, they perfectly complement the tone of the story. Each animal is expressive and friendly, never overwhelming or overly detailed, which keeps the focus clear for younger audiences. The barn setting feels warm and welcoming, creating a cozy, familiar environment that children are naturally drawn to. The visual simplicity also helps reinforce learning, allowing kids to easily identify animals and associate them with their sounds.
Another standout feature is the tactile or interactive element often included in editions of this book (such as flaps or doors to open). This physical interaction adds a whole new dimension to reading. Kids love the act of “opening” the door themselves—it gives them a sense of control and discovery. It’s a small detail that makes a huge impact, especially for toddlers and preschoolers who thrive on hands-on exploration.
Beyond the fun, Open the Barn Door also offers subtle educational value. It introduces basic farm animals, reinforces repetition and memory, and supports early language skills. But what’s most impressive is how seamlessly it blends learning with play. Children don’t feel like they’re being taught—they’re simply having a great time, which is exactly how learning should feel at that age.
What truly elevates this book to a 5/5 experience is its re-readability. Many children’s books lose their charm after a few reads, but this one somehow gets better each time. Kids love the familiarity, and they begin to anticipate what comes next, building confidence and excitement. It becomes a shared ritual—one of those stories that families come back to again and again.
In short, Open the Barn Door is everything a children’s book should be: engaging, interactive, educational, and most importantly, fun. It captures the magic of early reading and turns it into a lively, memorable experience for both kids and adults. Whether you’re a parent looking for the perfect bedtime story or a teacher searching for an engaging classroom read, this book delivers in every way.
At its core, the book follows a simple but magical concept: each page encourages the reader to “open the barn door” and discover which animal is waiting inside. This repeated structure is brilliant for young children. It builds anticipation in a way that feels almost like a game—what’s behind the door this time? A cow? A pig? A horse? The excitement never fades, even on repeated reads. In fact, the predictability combined with surprise is exactly what makes it so effective for early childhood engagement.
The language is simple, rhythmic, and perfectly suited for read-aloud sessions. There’s a musicality to the phrasing that makes it easy for kids to follow along, and before long, they start chiming in themselves. That’s one of the book’s greatest strengths—it transforms passive listening into active participation. Kids aren’t just hearing the story; they’re in it. They’re guessing, shouting out answers, mimicking animal sounds, and eagerly turning pages.
And speaking of animal sounds—this book absolutely shines in that department. Each reveal comes with an opportunity for fun, exaggerated noises that kids love to imitate. It’s the kind of book that fills a room with giggles and enthusiastic “MOO!” and “OINK!” sounds. For parents, caregivers, or educators, it’s a fantastic tool for encouraging speech development, sound recognition, and confidence in young readers.
The illustrations deserve just as much praise. Bright, colorful, and full of personality, they perfectly complement the tone of the story. Each animal is expressive and friendly, never overwhelming or overly detailed, which keeps the focus clear for younger audiences. The barn setting feels warm and welcoming, creating a cozy, familiar environment that children are naturally drawn to. The visual simplicity also helps reinforce learning, allowing kids to easily identify animals and associate them with their sounds.
Another standout feature is the tactile or interactive element often included in editions of this book (such as flaps or doors to open). This physical interaction adds a whole new dimension to reading. Kids love the act of “opening” the door themselves—it gives them a sense of control and discovery. It’s a small detail that makes a huge impact, especially for toddlers and preschoolers who thrive on hands-on exploration.
Beyond the fun, Open the Barn Door also offers subtle educational value. It introduces basic farm animals, reinforces repetition and memory, and supports early language skills. But what’s most impressive is how seamlessly it blends learning with play. Children don’t feel like they’re being taught—they’re simply having a great time, which is exactly how learning should feel at that age.
What truly elevates this book to a 5/5 experience is its re-readability. Many children’s books lose their charm after a few reads, but this one somehow gets better each time. Kids love the familiarity, and they begin to anticipate what comes next, building confidence and excitement. It becomes a shared ritual—one of those stories that families come back to again and again.
In short, Open the Barn Door is everything a children’s book should be: engaging, interactive, educational, and most importantly, fun. It captures the magic of early reading and turns it into a lively, memorable experience for both kids and adults. Whether you’re a parent looking for the perfect bedtime story or a teacher searching for an engaging classroom read, this book delivers in every way.
April 9, 2023
This book amuses me greatly. Like other reviewers have commented, the inconsistency in the animal results under the flaps is so infuriating hilarious. A few themes:
1: There is no method to whether the result is singular/plural and doesn't necessarily match the picture's indication of it being singular or plural. One time "AN OWL" is denoted but there are clearly two owls in the picture under the flap.
2: There's no reason why a baby's name of the animal is used vs. the adult name. Sometimes we have "DUCKLINGS" and sometimes, combining the two situations I've described thus far, the flap denotes "A PONY" when the picture shows both a foal AND a grown horse.
3. As shown in the examples above, use of articles such as "AN" or "A" is spotty at best.
4. What I don't think I've seen mentioned in other reviews (and my favorite theme) is the absolute chaos of the font/punctuation in the set up vs. the animal name under the flap. On the first page, we begin with the unassuming "Who says moo?" The question has normal typeface, with normal capitalization and a question mark. Then, under the flap we get hit with "A COW"
All caps! No punctuation!
My other favorite case of this is "Who says mew?" and after you lift the flap, the book pronounces menacingly "CATS"
All this to say, that my narration of this book to my child results in my stating the initial question very nicely and quietly, then BAM! He gets hit with "A CHICK" or "A ROOSTER" or "DUCKLINGS" or whatever the result is.
I feel a little silly writing out this whole review for a children's book that takes less than two minutes to read, so please like or comment if I made you laugh.
1: There is no method to whether the result is singular/plural and doesn't necessarily match the picture's indication of it being singular or plural. One time "AN OWL" is denoted but there are clearly two owls in the picture under the flap.
2: There's no reason why a baby's name of the animal is used vs. the adult name. Sometimes we have "DUCKLINGS" and sometimes, combining the two situations I've described thus far, the flap denotes "A PONY" when the picture shows both a foal AND a grown horse.
3. As shown in the examples above, use of articles such as "AN" or "A" is spotty at best.
4. What I don't think I've seen mentioned in other reviews (and my favorite theme) is the absolute chaos of the font/punctuation in the set up vs. the animal name under the flap. On the first page, we begin with the unassuming "Who says moo?" The question has normal typeface, with normal capitalization and a question mark. Then, under the flap we get hit with "A COW"
All caps! No punctuation!
My other favorite case of this is "Who says mew?" and after you lift the flap, the book pronounces menacingly "CATS"
All this to say, that my narration of this book to my child results in my stating the initial question very nicely and quietly, then BAM! He gets hit with "A CHICK" or "A ROOSTER" or "DUCKLINGS" or whatever the result is.
I feel a little silly writing out this whole review for a children's book that takes less than two minutes to read, so please like or comment if I made you laugh.
June 29, 2017
Lift the flaps around the farm, but first see if you can guess which farm animal will be under the flap based on the noise word on top.
A niece picked this out to get. She loves the flaps. I liked that it had the animal sounds as a clue, and then has the written name of the animal on the underside of the flap. I also liked that this had a greater variety than the average farm book. It includes a goat along with the standard farm animals.
A niece picked this out to get. She loves the flaps. I liked that it had the animal sounds as a clue, and then has the written name of the animal on the underside of the flap. I also liked that this had a greater variety than the average farm book. It includes a goat along with the standard farm animals.
December 6, 2017
Our son has moderate hearing loss, and this is great for learning animal sounds, and having him mimic. He loves this book. It's very durable, and the flaps haven't yet been torn or ripped. Very happy with purchasing this, would recommend for kids needs a lot of vocal interaction.
December 29, 2017
My daughter has an amazing amount of love for this book. So much so it ended up in the bath yesterday so I will be purchasing another copy shortly, but the newly dried and sellotaped copy is still being carried around by the obsessed eighteen month old! Moo
November 24, 2019
This book is a favorite of my 15 month old son. He likes books that require active participation from him. This book gives him that through flaps and making the animal sounds. He also seems to love it’s very small size.
December 6, 2020
This is one of my grandchild's favorite books. I enjoy reading it to her.
It is a cute lift the flap book about farm animals and a barn.
It is extremely sturdy. The flaps are well made and will not tear even after repeated use!
It is a cute lift the flap book about farm animals and a barn.
It is extremely sturdy. The flaps are well made and will not tear even after repeated use!
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November 26, 2022This is one of two books we had in the diaper bag going to Auburn for Thanksgiving in 2022, so that means EVERYONE had to read me this book: Daddy, Mummy, Grandpa, Auntie Kristen, Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma.
January 21, 2024
Read this to my nephew. It has animal noises and lift the flaps which he loved, but then some of the animals were weird. Like they did pony instead of horse for neigh. The goat was eating a sock and he kept fixating on that and saying “eww” and “gross” 😂 maybe 3.5-4 out of 5 stars.
April 4, 2024
Like I said, I am a sucker for the barnyard books! This is a cute little interactive book with flaps to open for fun little surprises! I grew up with this book and I would totally buy one of my own someday!
January 3, 2018
A current favorite of my 3 yr old. Matching animal sounds and lifting the flap to discover which animal made the noise.
January 5, 2019
Another book available in the sensory packs at George Ranch. This is a lovely little book that gives all of the sounds of the animals surrounding a farm. Flo likes the hoot of the owl.
March 20, 2019
Who says what? Check out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNmGA...
September 24, 2019
I liked it and I liked the flaps. It was fun to read it!
December 10, 2019
Flap book that teaches the kids about animals. Great for the very young ages.
December 11, 2019
Great book for learning the different animals.
January 29, 2020
Simple small lift the flaps book. Great if you want to go over barn animal noises!
March 14, 2020
This lift the flap book is adorable for small kiddos.
June 5, 2020
Great book to introduce some common farm animals and the sounds they make.
February 25, 2021
My children loved this book when they were little. Now I buy it for all new babies!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews