Big Story Book The Scarecrows Hat

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 Scarecrowå's hat. Scarecrow would gladly trade his hat for a walking stick to rest his tired arms. Chicken doesnå't have a walking stick to tradeåÑbut 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 Scarecrowå'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. Brownå's bright watercolors and gentle tone will keep readers captivated --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition. 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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. 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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.