10th April National Farm Animals Day

Each year on April 10th, National Farm Animals Day focuses attention on the humane care of farm animals. This is a day celebrated in the USA, but it is pertinent here too, as we are in the midst of The Sydney Royal Easter Show (6th to 17th April), Australia's largest annual event.

Here, the country and the city join together to enjoy animal experiences, produce competitions, rural past times and carnival fun. This show was first held in 1823. It is run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW which rewards agricultural excellence and invests in agricultural programs and rural communities, so of course supports humane care of farm animals.

While there is not an abundance of books about the Royal Easter Show, there are these books: Show Day by Penny Matthews and Andrew McLean, The Show  by Nan Hunt and Bettina Ogden and A Day at the Show by Gwyn Perkins,

and of course, there are books about dog shows, cat shows and pony competitions a plenty.

A fun way to talk about how farm animals are cared for might be to look at books where the animals demand to be treated differently as they do in Farmer Duck  by Martin Waddell and Betty Cronin's series that started with Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. 

Many of my Year 2 girls get hooked on the Juliet Nearly a Vet series by Rebecca Johnson because there is lots of animal care and competitions.

And these, just because they feature farm animals who triumph and are favourites!