The Real Life Stories of Farmer Brown's Boy
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Farmer Brown is a western farmer who endures the hardships of farming with the help of his family. This totally self-sufficient family relies on each other, working from dawn to dusk, to get all their work done. In 'Fishing', Farmer Brown's boy must finish weeding the garden before he is rewarded by being allowed to fish in the creek, with the condition that he must catch enough fish to feed the family, teaching him that with every reward comes a responsibility. 'Haytime' depicts the difficult work farmers endure during the cutting and baling of hay, emphasizing family togetherness and cooperation. 'Horse' is about Farmer Brown's boy's wish for a horse after being exposed to the excitement of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, where Farmer Brown teaches his son that to realize one's dreams, one must do more than wish.
Discussion points
What do you think made Farmer Brown's boy so determined to achieve his dreams?
How did the relationships with the animals influence the boy's life and decisions?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and it made you feel happy? How does that compare to the boy's experiences?
What lessons do you think we can learn from Farmer Brown's boy about perseverance and kindness?
If you were Farmer Brown's boy, what would you have done differently on the farm?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use pauses after each question to give your child time to think and respond, showing that you value their ideas.
Relate the boy’s experiences to your child’s life by comparing his farm responsibilities to responsibilities they have at home or school.
Encourage empathy by discussing how the boy felt in different parts of the story and asking your child how they would feel in similar situations.
Praise your child’s responses to reinforce their participation and boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
After the discussion, engage in a related activity, such as drawing scenes from the book or visiting a local farm to bring the story to life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Farmer Brown's boy demonstrates responsibility by taking care of the farm animals and ensuring all farm duties are completed each day.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small tasks at home, like tidying up their rooms or helping to set the table, showcasing their ability to handle responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Compassion
Explanation: Throughout the book, Farmer Brown's boy shows compassion towards the animals, treating them with kindness and care.
Real-World Application: Children can practice compassion by being kind to their pets or showing empathy towards their friends and siblings during playtime.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The story highlights Farmer Brown's boy facing various challenges on the farm but continuing to work hard and not giving up.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be reflected in a child's life by encouraging them to persist with challenging tasks at school or in learning new skills, reinforcing the value of perseverance.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Farmer Brown's boy often collaborates with others in the community to accomplish tasks, emphasizing the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn that teamwork can lead to achieving goals more efficiently, whether it’s during group projects in school or in team sports.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: The character displays curiosity about farming techniques and the natural world, driving him to learn and grow.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to ask questions and explore subjects they're interested in, whether it’s science, reading, or art, fostering a lifelong love of learning.