Waltz of the Scarecrows [Hardcover]

Constance McGeorge (Author), Mary Whyte (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up

While spending the summer at her grandparents' farm, Sarah helps her Grandma and Grandpa stuff old evening clothes with straw and sew buttons onto linen faces. But these are no ordinary scarecrows. Dressed in top hats and tails, ball gowns and gloves, these scarecrows look as if they are ready for a night on the town. And, indeed, they are! Soon, Sarah learns the secret of the annual Harvest Ball and helps bring the legend to life. Accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations, this mysterious and magical tale will delight readers of all ages.

Awards and honors for Waltz of the Scarecrows:
1999 Parent Council LTD Seal
Smithsonian Notable Award

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-On a visit to her grandparents' farm, Sarah is awakened by Grandpa, who announces that it's time to make scarecrows. Instead of rags, the scarecrows in this farm community wear old party clothes. When the child asks why, her grandfather begins a tale of long ago when hungry birds descended on the town and were chased away by a group of people attending a harvest ball. Ever since, the scarecrows have been dressed in fancy attire. Legend also has it that folks have seen the scarecrows waltz in their fancy satins and top hats during the full moon. The story ends with a wordless double spread depicting a luminous fall evening when scarecrows are hopping fences to join others dancing in a field. From the endpaper of golden straw to the final spread, the text and illustrations are sure to win the hearts of children. Whyte's watercolors are detailed and have dramatic perspectives that lend excitement to the story. An added bonus: readers are encouraged to find a cleverly hidden scarecrow on each page. Pair this story with Helen Ketteman's Year of No More (Orchard, 1993) for a seasonal storyhour.
Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Ages 4-8. Scarecrows are taking their turn in a bonanza of fall picture books that aren't Halloween stories. In this scarecrow tale, Sarah is puzzled when her grandparents begin dressing their annual scarecrows in a faded blue ball gown and an evening coat and top hat instead of ragged old clothes. Her grandparents explain that many years before, as people in the farming community were wearing their fanciest clothes for an outdoor dance, a swarm of birds swooped down and began tearing into the crops in the fields. It was people with 'black coats flapping' and 'colorful dresses billowing' that frightened the birds away. As Grandma and Grandpa finish dressing the lady and gentleman scarecrows, they tell Sarah that sometimes people think they see the scarecrows dancing. The paintings fill each page with washes of color, matching the graceful story and showing the people with a softly realistic glow." -- Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081181727X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811817271
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,574,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a sure favorite!, November 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Waltz of the Scarecrows (Hardcover)

Loved the simplicity of the storyline and the absolutely gorgeous illustrations. A keepsake!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, December 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Waltz of the Scarecrows (Hardcover)

Marvellous story. beautifully illustrated. Children love this story. The search for the scarecrows hidden in the pages creates a level of glee that keeps the child and adult involved.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waltz of the Scarecrows, April 9, 2001

By 

S. Forsgren (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waltz of the Scarecrows (Hardcover)

This is just a fun book about a girl staying with her grandparents on their farm for the summer. When her Grandpa starts dressing scarecrows in nice clothes, her curiosity is peaked. Grandma and Grandpa tell the tradition of the whole town dressing up their scarecrows.

This story is really cute and reminds me of growing up with my Grandparents and the special traditions and fun things we did. The beautiful watercolor illustrations clinch it for me.