Description
In this classroom favorite, a resourceful chicken enlists her farm friends to get a coveted hat from Scarecrow. A delightful circular tale and fall read-aloud!
“Great for storytelling, with big beautiful pictures for a topper.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Chicken really admires Scarecrow’s hat. Scarecrow would gladly trade his hat for a walking stick to rest his tired arms. Chicken doesn’t have a walking stick to trade—but she knows someone who does.
Author-illustrator Ken Brown pairs vivid, realistic watercolors with an inventive plot, engaging sequencing and repetition and to tell a charming circular story packed with relatable themes of friendship, bartering, and problem solving. An ideal storytime choice for autumn and harvest themes.
Reviews
“Children will enjoy the repetition and refrain. Vibrant watercolors simultaneously depict the natural beauty of a blooming meadow in spring and the fine execution of expressions on the animals’ faces and in their body language…. satisfying, funny.” ―School Library Journal
“A gentle picture book with an old-fashioned feel…. Brown’s story proceeds at a leisurely pace, allowing young readers time to join in Chicken’s creative problem-solving…. The true standout here…is Brown’s artwork-his airy sun-dappled watercolors evoke a pleasant summer day.” ―Publishers Weekly
“A brilliant watercolorist, Brown sets this familiarly patterned tale in sunny, poppy-strewn rural locales, and populates it with animals that are at once wonderfully lifelike and comically expressive…. Great for storytelling, with big beautiful pictures for a topper.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Problem solving takes center stage in this story of how a resourceful chicken, every bit as determined as the Little Red Hen, barters for a scarecrow’s hat…. Realistic watercolors greatly enhance this plucky, humorous tale.” ―Booklist
“The details on these pages are beautiful…I envision children sitting with their ‘reader’ who reads bits of this delightful story about chicken needing/wanting the straw hat. Each step of the story is page turning and will involve the child as the “reader” engages them to look for specifics on each page.” ―ACS Reader’s Haven
“This clever story written and illustrated by Ken Brown poses a problem and offers a creative solution that young children will delight in discovering. Brown’s bright watercolors and gentle tone will keep readers captivated.” ―It’s About Time Mamaw
“The Scarecrow’s Hat is a lovely, gentle book. The repetition in the story makes it an engaging read-aloud.” ―Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes
Awards
Children’s Literature Choice List (Picture Books, Ages 4-8) ―Children’s Literature, 2002
Best Bets for the Classroom (Picture Books) ―Virginia Center for Children’s Books, 2001
Nevada Young Readers’ Award (Nominee, Picture Books) ―Nevada Library Association, 2003
More Details
AR Level: 3.2
F&P: GRL J, Gr 1, Genre F
Lexile: AD490L
Themes: Circular Tale, Negotiation, Problem Solving
BISAC 1: JUV002000 JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
BISAC 2: JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUV019000 JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories
