It is common for children’s books to use farm animals as protagonists. Most of the children’s books that feature farm animals seem to do so because it is entertaining for the children who read them. However, many of these books miss an opportunity to teach young people about compassion for these animals, and can even misguide them about the realities of life for animals on modern factory farms. Learn about some things to take into consideration when choosing a book about farm animals to share with students.

Here is a collection of books that are at once sobering and heartening, and because of this, leave their readers with the responsibility of action. All three books can be excerpted into the humane education classroom, but they also provide the broader factual platforms that give teachers (or any concerned citizens) an edifying background.