The Scarecrow

Written by Beth Ferry · Illustrated by Eric Fan and Terry Fan

A scarecrow saves a crow, forming an unlikely bond. Can their friendship endure the seasons?

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,252 ratings

40 pages· 396 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud· AD490L

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Bookroo's summary

In a field where animals avoid him, Scarecrow does the unthinkable—he saves a fallen baby crow. As the seasons change, their unexpected friendship blossoms, challenging the boundaries of loneliness and love. Will their bond withstand the test of time and nature's cycles? Discover a heartwarming tale of companionship and the transformative power of kindness.

"Autumn sunshine. Haystacks rolled. Scarecrow guards the fields of gold."

— from the book

From the publisher

A Junior Library Guild Selection and Indie Next List Pick

“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

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 396
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD490L

Themes & topics

Books about helping others Books about friendship Books about seasons Books about scarecrows Books about fall

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

6.0

“A tender story of an unexpected friendship. Beth Ferry’s cadence is superb and her perfect rhyming flows naturally and unforced despite its originality. The illustrations by the Fan Brothers are gentle and warm, making this a great addition to fall children’s literature.”

The Goodfather

Trusted reviewer

The author