Story by Kim Tannas - illustrations by Cindy Revell

Tales from the Farm

As winter’s chill begins to descend, there’s no better time to think about snuggling up with a good book. From a timeless tale about a barnyard friendship between a spider and a pig to a story of struggle and survival in turn-of-the-century Alberta, classic children’s books can be a wonderful way to bring the world of agriculture to life.

Pioneer Project

Many of these classic stories explore pioneer life. Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to do things in the early days ... grinding wheat from the fields for flour to make bread, cutting wood to heat the house in the winter, milking the cows and churning the cream to make butter. Try this simple pioneer project you can do at home (with an adult’s permission of course).

Make Your Own Butter

1 cup (250 mL) heavy cream or whipping cream (amount may vary depending on the size of the jar)
1 glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
1 pinch of salt (optional)

Pour the cream into the jar so that it is three-quarters of the way full. Screw lid on tightly.  Shake the jar for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. If you do this activity with a group, people can take turns shaking the jar.

After some time, the cream will thicken and lumps will form. That means that the butter is forming. Continue shaking until the butter separates from the liquid. The liquid that forms is called buttermilk.

Drain the buttermilk from the butter and rinse the butter in cold water. Remove the butter and add a pinch of salt. Store the butter in a clean food container and refrigerate.

Tip: Add a clean marble to the jar to speed up the process.

Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. White; Illustrated by Garth Williams  Ages: 8 to 12
This bestselling children’s book is the story of an unlikely friendship between Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig. Charlotte spins words in her web to keep her friend Wilbur off the dinner menu.

Josepha: A Prairie Boy’s Story

by Jim McGugan; Illustrated by Murray Kimber Ages: 6 and up
It is the year 1900 and Josepha is an intelligent, generous-hearted immigrant boy who suffers embarrassment at school because he doesn’t speak English. He must abandon school to help his family with the harvest.

My Friend Flicka

by Mary O’Hara Ages: 9 to 12
Ken McLaughlin is a daydreamer who can’t seem to do anything right. When he meets a young horse named Flicka, he learns some of the responsibilities of growing up.

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan Ages: 9 to 12
Two young children long for someone to bring happiness back into their home after the death of their mother. That’s when Sarah walks into their life.

Ticket to Curlew

by Celia Barker Lottridge; Illustrations by Wendy Wolsak-Frith Ages: 10 to 14
In 1915, Sam Ferrier and his family arrive from Iowa to Curlew, Alberta to build a new home. This is the story of their first year as they adapt to pioneer life.

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder; Illustrations by Garth Williams Ages: 9 to 12
While Laura Ingalls grows up in her little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder, her future husband, lives on a big farm in New York State. Almanzo and his siblings help out with the summer planting and fall harvest.

Word Search

Find and circle these words straight from the farm:

barn                pig
cattle               potatoes
chickens        pumpkins
eggs               sheep
farm                threshing
harvest           turkeys
hay                  wheat
milking