The Scarecrow / written by Beth Ferry ; illustrated by the Fan Brothers.

Title:

Author:

Ferry, Beth,

ISBN:

9780062475763

0062475762

Edition:

First edition

Publication Info:

New York, New York :

Description:

37 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 25 x 29 cm

Summary:

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing. He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?

Subject(s):

Scarecrows -- Juvenile fiction.

Animals -- Juvenile fiction.

Seasons -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Holds: Copies (not including on-order items):

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... East Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... East Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... East Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... East Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Library 21c	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Monument Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Penrose Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Penrose Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Penrose Library	Children's Book	FERR	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A Junior Library Guild Selection | An Indie Next List Pick | An Amazon Best 3-5 Books of 2019 Selection

"An emotionally impactful exploration of love and loneliness, this is an essential addition to any picture book collection." --School Library Journal (starred review)

Bestselling author Beth Ferry (Stick and Stone) and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers (The Night Gardener) present a gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share.

This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others--a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come.

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing....

He saves the tiny baby crow.

Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?

"A welcome addition to autumnal storytelling."--Kirkus

"A novel twist on the theme of love between adversaries." --Publishers Weekly

"A beautifully crafted picture book." --Booklist

Author Notes

Beth Ferry is an author who wrote Stick and Stone which made the New York Times Best Seller List 2015.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 3--Scarecrow has a job to do--guard the field. He's good at his job. The animals don't come near. His success is lonely though, until one day a baby crow falls from the sky. Scarecrow must decide whether to guard the field or take pity on the tiny lost bird. Scarecrow's very human desire for companionship wins out as he gently nestles the baby against his straw heart, starting a journey from solitary custodian to much-loved protector. The story shows that family and friends can be found in unexpected ways and surprising places. While the lyrical text paints a lovely tale (providing examples of alliteration and rhyme), the Fan Brothers' marvelous illustrations elevate it to something magical. It's amazing to watch the play of emotions over a simple, painted, burlap face. It's impossible not to feel despair, longing, and love along with Scarecrow. From the desolate paleness of winter to the pastel palette of spring, the depth of the landscapes help readers feel the changing seasons as the story moves through the year. Mostly, it feels like a wonderful celebration of fall as the glowing warmth of autumn wheat unites the story from its melancholy beginning to its jubilant conclusion. VERDICT An emotionally impactful exploration of love and loneliness, this is an essential addition to any picture book collection.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH

Publisher's Weekly Review

"Scarecrow stands alone and scares/ the fox and deer,/ the mice and crows," Ferry (Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish) begins in sturdy verse. "It's all he does. It's all he knows." Drawn by the Fan Brothers (The Antlered Ship), the scarecrow's burlap face and blank expression are startlingly realistic. One day, a nestling drops from the tree above him, and the scarecrow does something unexpected: "He snaps his pole,/ bends down low,/ saves the tiny baby crow." He encircles it in its arms of straw and perches it on his breast; the lonely scarecrow needs a friend as much as the nestling needs him. Over the spring and summer, the two become inseparable-they're shown in dramatic silhouette against a summer moon, fireflies blinking nearby. In the autumn, the crow flies away, and the Scarecrow's sewn-on smile turns upside down-but spring brings his friend back, and new life arrives. Though the story's arc is predictable, Ferry's tale is a novel twist on the theme of love between adversaries, while the Fan Brothers' finely worked art grounds the story in the movement of the seasons. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrators' agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Summer, fall, winter, spring ... in every season Scarecrow scares critters away from his field. But when a small, frightened crow falls from the sky, He snaps his pole, / bends down low, / and saves the tiny baby crow. Tucking it into the straw near his heart, he sings the nestling to sleep. They become loyal friends. In late summer, the crow flies away. Through autumn and winter, Scarecrow sags on his broken pole, but spring brings a happy reunion, as the bird spruces him up, finds a mate, and builds a nest beside his heart, where five eggs hatch into baby crows. The text works well, rolling along in a series of rhymed couplets that help create an emotional connection with the characters, particularly the scarecrow, but avoid sentimentality. Created with pencil and ballpoint as well as digital elements, the impressive double-page illustrations use line, texture, and color with uncommon finesse. The final page shows the contented Scarecrow at the center of an illustration resembling a traditional Peaceable Kingdom scene. A beautifully crafted picture book.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist