Title:

Farmer Palmer’s Wagon Ride

Author:

William Steig

Illustrator:

William Steig

Where I Shelve it:

William Steig

Fiction/Non-Fiction?

Fiction

Review:

What a fun read! Palmer Farmer just wants to sell his harvest, buy gifts for his family and get back home! That is not what happens, at all! This is a funny, engaging story about a pig and his donkey* and all of the calamities that befall them on their way home. We really enjoyed reading this one. Laughing at some of the mishaps, and then cooing at the end when he finally makes it. It’s a fun one, and I do recommend it. Make sure to read the content considerations, though!

Kid Thoughts:

They loved it! Teeny, though, was scandalized at first by the use of the word “fat” to describe his family. Overall, they thought it was funny and enjoyable!

Content Considerations:

This book was not written in 2026 for the standards of 2026. The donkey is consistently referred to as the “ass” I’m not sure if newer versions have update or not. But, ours has not. I think it’s up to you if you want to self-edit that or read it as-is. I chose as-is because it’s relevant to when it was written. The second thing to be aware of is that they’re pigs. So, they’re referred to as “fat” Farmer Palmer’s “fat wife” for example. Once I reminded my kids that they were pigs and pigs are supposed to be fat, there was no more gasped outrage, but you should know both of those going in.

Possible Categories:

Picture Books, Problem Solving, Family, Working Together, (Mild) Disaster, Pigs, William Steig

Worth the Shelf Space?

We think so!