County Fair is one of the delightful books in the Little House Picture Book series, a collection I absolutely love. These cheerful and colorful adaptations are a wonderful way to introduce younger children to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the beloved stories that have become favorites for so many families.

This particular title follows Almanzo Wilder as a boy in New York state on a very exciting day at the county fair. With contests, animals, prizes, and special fair food, County Fair offers plenty to enjoy as a read-aloud and plenty of easy learning connections for homeschool moms who want a simple, enriching mini unit study.

Book Snapshot

• Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Illustrator: Jody Wheeler
• Ages: 4–8
• Themes: county fairs, pumpkins, family, rural life, early America, Almanzo Wilder, food, competition
• Best For: Little House studies, fall read-alouds, farm themes, and simple history connections

About the Book

County Fair is adapted from Farmer Boy and features Almanzo Wilder during his childhood in New York. The Wilder family has many entries in the county fair, and everyone is eager to go. Almanzo is especially excited because he has entered a carefully tended pumpkin and hopes it has a strong chance of winning a prize.

The story takes readers through the highlights of the fair, including the sights Almanzo sees, the foods he enjoys, and the outcome of the pumpkin competition. It is a lively and engaging introduction to county fairs and to Almanzo’s world.

Like the other Little House picture books, this one offers a gentle doorway into the larger Little House stories while standing well on its own for younger children. It is a fun fall book and a natural choice for families who enjoy traditional stories, rural life, and historical settings.

Why This Book Works for Homeschooling

County Fair works especially well for homeschooling because it combines a cheerful story with easy connections to history, geography, food, agriculture, and seasonal study. It works especially well for:

• History – introducing children to rural life and community events in nineteenth-century America
• Geography – locating Almanzo’s home region in New York state
• Science – learning about pumpkins, mules, farming, and growing conditions
• Home Economics – exploring old-fashioned fair foods and family traditions
• Literature – connecting a picture book adaptation to Farmer Boy and the larger Little House world

Picture Book Activities

Use these simple ideas to turn your read-aloud into an easy Little House or fall-themed mini unit study. Choose one or two that fit your season and your children.

• Geography: Locate Franklin County and Malone on a map of New York. Note other important towns, cities, landmarks, and geographical features in the state.
• Science: Almanzo is frightened the first time he encounters a mule. Learn more about mules and discuss how they are different from horses and donkeys.
• Field Trip: Find a county fair near you and make plans to attend. If fair season has passed, look for photos and videos online to talk about common fair events and exhibits.
• History: What kinds of pumpkins win prizes today? Look up details about modern pumpkin competitions in the United States and compare them with Almanzo’s experience.
• Wilder Homestead: Learn about the preservation of Almanzo’s boyhood home on the Wilder Homestead website. You can also browse Tripadvisor for additional photos.
• Pumpkins: If you want to go deeper with the pumpkin theme, do a pumpkin unit study or add pumpkin-themed activities such as a Print and Go Learning Unit, Pumpkins Fun Fact Cards, and Pumpkins Copywork.
• Literature: Read a chapter from Farmer Boy and compare it with the picture book version. Talk about what details were included, simplified, or left out.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Almanzo so excited to enter his pumpkin in the county fair?
2. What do county fairs tell us about life in farming communities?
3. What details in the story help you imagine the sights and sounds of the fair?
4. Why do you think competitions and prizes were such an important part of fairs?
5. What would you most like to see or do if you visited a county fair like this one?

Final Recommendation

If your family enjoys Little House books, rural history, or fall-themed picture books, County Fair is a charming choice. It is colorful, cheerful, and full of natural homeschool connections. This is an easy book to turn into a simple mini unit study on pumpkins, fairs, Almanzo Wilder, or nineteenth-century rural life.