The Scarecrow's Hat [Hardcover]

Ken Brown (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A resourceful chicken seeks the help of her farm animal friends to solve a problem, while giving something of herself along the way. 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. Thus begins her quest to find items to trade among her farm friends, all to obtain a walking stick to swap for Scarecrow’s hat. But why does Chicken want an old straw hat? 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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this gentle picture book with an old-fashioned feel, an enterprising chicken pulls off a hat trick of sorts when she finds a way to obtain a chapeau she admires. Chicken would love to have Scarecrow's straw hat for her very own. Scarecrow says he would gladly swap his headdress for a walking stick, something that Chicken does not possess. So Chicken sets out to visit Badger, who does have a walking stick. Trouble is Badger wants to make a trade, too, for something else Chicken can't provide--a ribbon. Chicken calls on an array of animal pals until she at last makes the deal that leads her back to Scarecrow's hat, via a chain reaction of satisfying swaps. British author/illustrator Brown's (Dilly-Dally and the Nine Secrets) story proceeds at a leisurely pace, allowing young readers time to join in Chicken's creative problem-solving. A couple of missteps in logic (a sheep is happy to have a pair of broken glasses; Scarecrow is the only inanimate object to speak) don't mar the easygoing mood. The true standout here, however, is Brown's artwork--his airy, sun-dappled watercolors evoke a pleasant summer day. Ages 2-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Chicken admires Scarecrow's straw hat, and her eyes light up when he says he would gladly exchange it for a walking stick to rest his arms. She doesn't have a walking stick, but she knows someone who does. Badger will trade his stick for a ribbon to tie his door open. Crow is willing to give up his ribbon for some wool to make a soft nest and so on, until Chicken comes full circle around the farm visiting all the animals and is able to get Scarecrow's straw hat for a nest. 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. Pair this satisfying, funny offering with Pat Hutchins's Rosie's Walk (Macmillan, 1968) for a winning program.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary, Huntsville, AL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; 1st edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561452408
• ISBN-13: 978-1561452408
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,019,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming!, March 12, 2001

By 

Jule Kijek (Redford, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scarecrow's Hat (Hardcover)

Chicken wants Scarecrow's hat, Scarecrow wants a walking stick. Chicken knows who has one and starts off on a fun filled day of bartering and trading. Along the way she makes deals with Badger, Crow, Sheep, Owl and Donkey, each one needing something else that another animal has! This book is filled with wonderful watercolored pictures of the farmyard animals.(The one of Sheep in glasses is priceless!)A fitting companian book to Tattyboggle, "The Scarecrow's Hat" is sure to please!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Now, that's one smart cookie!, September 21, 2007

By 

History_of_Art_Geek (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scarecrow's Hat (Hardcover)

The Scarecrow's Hat is a delightful tome most can appreciate. Ken Brown's watercolor illustrations are illuminating! There's a glow to his work, which tells me he's very acquainted with the medium. The wheat gracefully blows in the fields, while the clouds billow in the azure sky above. The full-color spreads are bright, and vibrant while the animal expressions are friendly and warm. For instance, when Chicken makes her final trade we see a contented Scarecrow where he was once sullen, and Crow appears to be smiling with his swap. It's pretty difficult to paint a "happy" beak.

Brown doesn't use rhyme, or alliteration in his writing, but his words are well chosen, and there's repetition in the refrain. A 3-year old could easily follow along as the vocabulary is age appropriate. While my son is six, and typically welcomes a longer story, William really likes The Scarecrow's Hat. After the first read, he had one of those "AWE ha" moments, snickered, and immediately asked for a reread.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book to remember!!!, October 15, 2009

By 

DD67 "babyonahill" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scarecrow's Hat (Hardcover)

The other reviewers do a good job explaining what the book is about. I just want to add that I borrowed this book several times from the library a decade ago. And I still remember it like it is a dear friend. Beautiful illustrations and great values in this story.