Are you ready for fall? We are! We recently visited our local library to refresh our book collection. While we were there, I grabbed a handful of scarecrow books to read. After we enjoyed a few of the books, I showed my kids how to draw their very own scarecrows. I thought I would share some of my favorite scarecrow books and a directed drawing with you.
You can click on any of the titles below to learn more about each book or find all of these scarecrow books on my Amazon page.
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Scarecrow Books
The Scarecrow’s Hat
by Ken Brown
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. This 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?
The Scarecrow
by Beth Ferry
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?
The Little Scarecrow Boy
by Margaret Wise Brown
This picture book tells the tale of a little scarecrow boy and the lessons he learns from his scarecrow father about the world—until he decides to test his knowledge and himself.
Scaredycrow
by Christopher Hernandez
Scaredycrow is a scarecrow with a big problem. He’s scared of EVERYTHING! The crows that fly by in the day, the bats that swoop down in the night, and the barnyard animals, too! And the feeling is mutual! The crows, the bats, and other barnyard friends are all terribly afraid of the lonely, little scarecrow out in the field. But one day, when a little mouse named Tiny decides to bring everyone together, everyone learns that there is nothing scary about making new friends.
The Scarecrow’s Wedding
by Julia Donaldson
“Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay
Were scarecrows. (They scared lots of crows every day.)
Harry loved Betty, and Betty loved Harry,
So Harry said, ‘Betty, my beauty, let’s marry!
Let’s have a wedding, the best wedding yet,
A wedding that no one will ever forget.'”
And so begin the plans for the best wedding the barnyard has ever seen! The scarecrow couple sets off for a hunt round the farm for everything they need for the festivities — a big white dress, rings, wedding bells (or, at least, cow bells)… But when Harry’s search for flowers takes him far, far away, villainous scarecrow rival Reginald Rake sees his chance to ruin this beautiful day… Hurry back, Harry!
The Lonely Scarecrow
by Tim Preston
A lonely scarecrow with a scary face has trouble making friends with the animals who surround him, until a heavy snowfall transforms him into a jolly snowman.
Scarecrow
by Cynthia Rylant
The world becomes an extraordinary place when viewed through the eyes of a scarecrow.
They perch high above gardens and fields, with borrowed coats and button eyes and pie-pan hands that glint in the sun. What else is there to know about scarecrows? Perhaps more than we realize. . . .
Otis and the Scarecrow
by Loren Long
On the farm where Otis the tractor lives, the farmer has introduced someone new—a scarecrow to shoo away the pesky crows. But when Otis and the animals greet the scarecrow with friendly smiles, the scarecrow’s frown never leaves his face. So everyone leaves him alone.
Then one day, when a cold autumn rain sets in, Otis and the animals snuggle close and play Otis’s favorite game: the quiet game. Otis knows the puppy and ducks can’t sit still for long, and soon the farm friends begin to giggle and squirm, feeling warmed by one another’s friendship . . . but on this day, Otis can’t seem to take his eyes off the lonely figure in the cornfield.
The Scarecrow’s Dance
by Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen introduces us to the fickle scarecrow, who decides to leave his station and dance away the fall night. He leaps through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse, where he sees a small light in the window. Inside, a boy is saying his prayers, and he offers up a special prayer for the corn that will be harvested in the morning. Humbled, the scarecrow knows what he has to do: He returns to the field and watches over the corn as only he can.
Barn Dance
by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
In an old farmhouse, bathed in the light of a full moon, a young boy creeps to his bedroom window and looks outside. Was that a voice he just heard, or the hooting of an owl? There it is again:
Come a little closer…
Come a little closer…
Listen to the night…
There’s music in the air…
Beckoned by the voice, the boy sneaks downstairs, out the door, and walks toward the barn. As he gets closer he hears the sweet sound of a country fiddler and the rhythmic thumping of dancing feet. But who could possibly be having a barn dance in the middle of the night?
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
by Linda Williams
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap. And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life!
Hopefully the Scarecrow
by Michelle Houts
A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, “The End,” the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.
Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn’t come to read to him.
Scarecrow Directed Drawing
After reading a few scarecrow books, let your students get creative and draw their own scarecrow! Here’s a drawing guide your students can follow to create their own scarecrow. I have added some writing pages so students can retell their favorite scarecrow book, write an original scarecrow story, create a scarecrow poem, or more! You can find the drawing steps and writing pages here.
Let me know if you have a favorite scarecrow book that didn’t make the list. I’d love to check it out!
Looking for more books to share with your students?
Happy Reading!
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