The Lonely Scarecrow - Hardcover

Tim Preston; Maggie Kneen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525460802 ISBN 13: 9780525460800

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 1999

Synopsis

A lonely scarecrow with a scary face has trouble making friends with the animals who surround him, until a heavy snowfall transforms him into a jolly snowman

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Winter snow transforms a scarecrow into a friendly-looking snowman, no longer frightening to the local animals, in this warm-spirited story with dainty, embossed artwork. Preston, a newcomer to children's books, describes the scarecrow's emotions as inextricable from the changes in the seasons: "The happy song of the lark [was] drowned out by the whispering of the wheat. Marooned in his golden sea, the scarecrow lost hope of ever making friends." Fortunately, when the snow thaws, the animal friends he makes as a snowman still recognize him in his scary springtime guise. The book owes much of its strength to Kneen's (Milly's Wedding) delicate renderings of farmyard creatures and nearly lifelike views of the scarecrow bursting from square framed seasonal vistas. The pleasingly plump animals look as snuggly as plush toys, and the scarecrow's emotions seem palpable. A lavish use of embossing defines snowflakes in wintry landscapes and adds texture to the many poppies, autumn leaves and animal tracks. This invitation to readers to touch the book's pages complements the story's tender theme of intimacy. All ages. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The story of how winter transforms a lonely scarecrow into a benevolent snowman, enabling him to befriend all the creatures he's supposed to frighten away. In Kneen's realistic illustrations, this scarecrow is just as frightening as his species dictates, sending fear into the hearts of small rodents, birds, and butterflies with his jagged teeth and flapping arms. For the entire summer he stands alone in his field watching the birds and animals raise their young; in the fall, some of the creatures head off to hibernate, making him feel even more alone. Then it snows, and under the thick white blanket of flakes the scarecrow has a friendlier demeanor. No longer afraid, the animals climb all over him, and now the scarecrow has one last worrythat when the snow melts, so will his new friendships. The illustrations are detailed, with embossed details that give this book the look of a fattened greeting card; most children will be cheered by the scarecrow's good fortune, and will not be able to predict its advent. (Picture book. 4-6) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0525460802
• ISBN 13: 9780525460800
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32