Grandpa's Tractor (Life on the Farm) by Michael Garland

Grandpa's Tractor (Life on the Farm) Reviews

• 
  Darla

  My dad also had a red tractor when I was a kid, but it was an Allis-Chalmers. We also had John Deere tractors. In fact, my baby brother loved those John Deere tractors so much that he dreamed of working for the company when grew up. And that is what he did. This companion book to
  Grandma's Farm is a wonderful read to learn about living on a farm. In this one, a grandpa takes his grandchild out to see where the family farm used to be and tells the boy stories about how they used the old tractor that still sits on the property. Reminds me of my dad and his faithful tractors, tinkering with them when they needed fixing, using them everyday for necessary farm work. Love these books about farms and the families that live on them.
• 
  Abigail

  A grandfather takes his young grandson to the site of the old family farm, long ago sold off, and reminisces about the pleasures of his childhood. Specifically, he describes all the wonderful things he did, together with his own father and family, using the farm's bright red tractor. From picking apples in the autumn to fetching a tree at Christmas, the family made good use of this piece of machinery...
  
  Grandpa's Tractor is a sweet, nostalgic book, one which celebrates family farms and the classic red Farmall tractor. It features the loving bond between the generations, as the grandson in Michael Garland's tale listens to his grandfather's stories, and imagines what life was like long ago. The artwork is bright and colorful, if a little too computer-generated-looking for my taste, and a brief afterword gives more information about the Farmall tractor. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about farms, tractors, and the stories that grandparents tell their grandchildren about their own childhoods.
• 
  Matt Millslagle

  Grandpa's tractor is a good book. I liked the illustrations and the approach of nostalgia. All kids have seen a building, a vehicle, a home or a homestead. This book is a good way of giving life and a history to something that could otherwise be overlooked. I recommend it.
• 
  Lorelai Wilkinson

  Once, the farmer’s best friend was a red tractor. Back then, the pastures were filled with cows, and the fields were full of corn. Today, the cows are gone and the rows of corn have been replaced with row after row of identical houses. Grandpa Joe brings his grandson Timmy back to the site of the family farm, where the old house and a ramshackle barn still stand. The visit evokes many memories for Grandpa Joe, which he shares with Timmy—in particular, the majesty of his own father's shiny red tractor, now rusting in the forgotten fields.
  
  I grew up with red tractors (Internationals) so this book grabbed my attention at the front cover. It is a cute story however I found the writing a little hard to follow. I like story books with a nice flow to the words that you don't have to repeat to yourself to figure out what's going on. The pictures are very well done though
• 
  Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams

  Reading this book, it made me pause and wonder - my dad grew up on a farm, though he chose accounting and suburb living as an adult. I think my children will be the first generation not to have any real connection to farm life. I'm guessing that most of this rising generation having babies right now have had no real connection to farm life. How sad. The peace on farms and the strong work ethic that farming helps install helps with so much in life. It's a great book and can help spark conversations between grandparents and grandchildren for other great memories.
• 
  Emily Jones

  I like this book more for the sentimental value. The author's note at the end, describing the book's inspiration, is especially neat. This book could be used as a conversational piece to talk to children about the importance of learning family history and stories of older generations. It's somewhat useful as a book about farming, but there's not a lot of detail there.
• 
  Kenson and kirra

  my papa loves red tractors. he collects them. he has taken me for a ride on one. we took a picture of me holding this book so we could send it to my papa
• 
  Valerie Wyse

  My son loves tractors so this book was a fun read for us. I loved the illustrations!
• 
  Logan

  MY GRANDPA HAS A TRACTOR. <3
• 
  Hilary

  Inspired by a rusty tractor embedded in a hillside near his home, Garland interviewed the vehicle’s owner and was inspired to write “Grandpa’s Tractor.” Tractors have ongoing appeal for many young readers, who are fascinated by large, powerful vehicles. On a farm, tractors can be used for a variety of tasks, and are endlessly useful.
  Timmy and Grandpa visit the site of the family farm, now run-down and ramshackle. Here they discover a rusted tractor. Grandpa brings the tractor’s usefulness to life and shares with Timmy the many ways that the tractor was useful on the farm: to till fields, gather the harvest, transport workers to the orchard, and bring fruits and vegetables to market. Timmy’s imagination is sparked, and young readers will enjoy the cheerful artwork that recreates a bygone era. The brightly colored double-page spreads will complement the read-aloud experience, especially with large groups.
  
  
  
• 
  Angie

  Grandpa takes Timmy to see his old farm. The house is boarded up and the barn is falling in and the tractor is rusting in the field. But Grandpa has great memories of that tractor and what it used to do on the farm. The tractor plowed the fields and delivered the food and firewood. It was an essential part of farm life. I love Grandpa's recollections of his childhood. It reminds me of all the times I have asked for stories from my parents and grandparents. I think it is really important that kids know there is more out there than computers and games.
• 
  Angie Kohout

  Plot: Timmy and his grandfather take a trip to the old family farm where Grandpa used to live. The visit ends up being trip down memory lane for Grandpa all focused around the rusty tractor they find still sitting on the property.
  
  Setting: United States
  
  Characters: Timmy, Grandpa, Grandpa's father in memories.
  
  Point-of view: Third person.
  
  Theme: Growing up on a farm, the importance of tractors.
  
  Style: Picture book, traditional story structure.
• 
  Mercy

  Reminds of the fars where I spent my summers
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  Cymiki

  this one is special to me because it reminded me of my childhood and riding a large red tractor. i shared the book with my dad since farming was a large part of his life.
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  CFAITC

  Grandpa Joe shares memories of his family's farm with his grandson Timmy, including memories of his father's red tractor.
• 
  pati

  A look back into the past at the way life once was and sadly will never be again. A great story and fabulous art!
• 
  Hope L. Justice

  These illustrations are hideous and completely artless. The story is incredibly juvenile.
• 
  Edward Sullivan

  Pleasant, nostalgic story.