THE LONELY SCARECROW

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 worry—that 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)