2015 Missouri Building Block: Down By the Barn

Down By the Barn bookIn “Down by the Barn” by Will Hillenbrand, a dog happily drives a clunky blue tractor around a farm. Hitched to the tractor are two wagons, which the dog uses to collect a scarecrow and an array of baby farm animals. When the wagons are packed full of critters, the dog makes a stop at a school bus full of excited children. The story ends on a sweet note, with the scarecrow reading a book aloud, sharing a story with all of the children and animals.

The text is simple and contains repetitive phrases (Puff puff, clank, clank, moo, moo, and OFF WE GO!), adding new sounds to the end of each phrase as baby animals hop into the wagon. “Down By the Barn” is bursting with cheery art and onomatopoeic text that begs to be orated by all, making it a wonderful read aloud.

Rhymes and songs help lay the foundation for reading readiness, so after you’ve read the book with your child, give these barnyard tunes a try!

“The Tractor on the Farm” (Tune: “The Wheels On The Bus”)

Oh, the tractor on the farm goes ‘round and ‘round,
‘Round and ‘round, ‘round and ‘round.
Oh, the tractor on the farm goes ‘round and ‘round,
All around the farm.

Oh, the cow on the farm goes, moo, moo, moo,
Moo, moo, moo, moo, moo, moo.
Oh, the cow on the farm goes, moo, moo, moo,
All around the farm.

Continue with other farm animals and farm objects.

“Bumping Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon”

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Up and down we’re having fun.

Swaying side to side in my little red wagon, (repeat 2 more times)
Side to side we’re having fun.

Rocking back and forth in my little red wagon, (repeat 2 more times)
Back and forth we’re having fun.

Hey-ho in my little red wagon (repeat 2 more times)
Riding around and having fun.

Remember to help your child vote for his or her favorite Missouri Building Block Picture Book after you have read five or more titles.