The Old Scarecrow - Tabatha Jean D'Agata - ★★★.¾
AUTHOR: Tabatha Jean D'Agata
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Millicent
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
PUBLICATION DATE: March 18, 2025
RATING: 3.75 stars.
In a Nutshell: A picture book about friendship and cooperation and nostalgia and utility. Good story, many discussion points, lovely illustrations. “Charlotte’s Web” vibes thanks to the farm animals. Recommended!
Plot Preview:
Farmer Fred's corn fields have been protected by an old scarecrow named Tom since many decades. But now, Tom is old, so the crows aren't afraid of him anymore and they raid the corn fields every day without worry. When Farmer Fred wonders aloud if it might be time for a new scarecrow, the farm animals, who love Tom, decide to help him in driving away the crows. Will Goose, Pig, Cow, and Sheep succeed in their plan? Or is it time to say goodbye to old Tom?
Kids today might have heard of scarecrows only through ‘The Wizard of Oz’. So this lovely story is a good way of reintroducing them to this helpful silent aide of farmers and also to some good moral values.
Farmer Fred faces a tough decision, and many of us, including children, will be able to empathise with his conundrum: when something doesn’t work, do you stick with it for nostalgic reasons, or discard it and get a replacement? However, one thing Farmer Fred forgets (and we ought not to forget) is option three: fix the issue. Merely talking about the problem doesn’t work, and discarding isn't always a sensible option. In a world where sustainability needs more traction, repairing/fixing needs to be given priority. I’m glad the story chooses this option, albeit without mentioning it outright.
The farm animals are wonderful characters. Each of them has a distinct attitude that comes out from their dialogues as well as the illustrations. I especially loved Sheep’s shaggy struggles – they were hilarious to read! Thanks to the farm setting and all the animals, the plot is reminiscent of “Charlotte’s Web”, but with a happy ending, thank heavens! My only regret in the characters was that Tom isn’t given a voice. We can see his expressions changing from page to page, so it would have been wonderful to hear his feelings on the tough situation facing him.
In real life, I love crows. I have a corvid friend who visits my kitchen balcony regularly and caws for food scraps. But I do understand why these intelligent birds could be troublesome for farmers. The crows in this book are creepy-looking with sassy eyes and evil smirks. I hope kids don’t end up hating them as a result. All corvids are such clever birds and so helpful to us humans thanks to their scavenging tendencies!
The story is written in simple prose. The writing is surprisingly lyrical. I have never seen any picture book begin with such a stunning imagery of a morning on a farm. There are plenty of action words and onomatopoeic sounds in the text, making this a joy for readaloud sessions. There are a few difficult words that might make this story a slightly difficult option for independent beginner readers, but will work great for kids transitioning from simple picture books to chapter books.
Though a mostly straightforward story, the plot offers several opportunities for discussions. As the characters in the book face many decisions, each situation can offer plenty to ponder upon. While the story offers many indirect life lessons, the one actually written on the last page of the book came as a surprise to me because I didn’t think it came up naturally through the flow of the plot. Regardless, it is a sweet message and relevant to a great extent.
The book makes good use of the page space. Some pages have only text but not more than 4-5 lines. None of the pages feels cluttered. The font is nice and clear, and legible enough.
The illustrations are amazing! Classical in style, each graphic is busy without being overwhelming. Children are sure to have fun with such lovely detailed sketches.
All in all, this picture book offers plenty of entertainment as well as discussion points to its little readers. The language makes it a good choice for kids aged 3-8 years. The book can also work well for classroom discussions on decisions and morals.
My thanks to Hygge Book Tours, HB Publishing, and author Tabatha Jean D'Agata for a complimentary digital ARC of 'The Old Scarecrow, and for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Blurb:
Farmer Fred faces a tough choice. His old scarecrow, Tom, has stood guard over the cornfield for years. But now, a relentless flock of crows threatens to devour his crops.
As the crows invade, Fred's bond with Tom is tested. It's not just about the corn; it's about tradition, loyalty, and what it means to protect.
Farmer Fred scratched his head as the crows swarmed the cornfield. Tom the scarecrow had been a loyal guardian for years. But with the corn disappearing faster than ever, Fred began to think it might be time for a change.
Will Goose, Cow, and a particularly shaggy Sheep (who desperately needs a shave) rally together to save their cherished scarecrow, Tom, from possible replacement?
However, help can often come in mysterious shapes and sizes.
Join Fred on this heartfelt journey. Will he choose practicality or sentiment?
A heart-warming story of friendship and the lesson that you are never too old.
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Author Tabatha Jean D'Agata:
Tabatha Jean D’Agata, born and raised in Lawrence, MA, discovered her passion for writing at an early age. She has authored several children’s books including "Silent Sam" from Lee & Low Books which recently celebrated 20 years in publication and the enchanting "More Wishes" from Pandamonium Publishing House.
As a dedicated literacy columnist for the Parent Express Newspaper, she advocates for the importance of reading and writing in children's lives.
Beyond her literary pursuits, D’Agata shares her love for writing by conducting engaging workshops for children in schools and libraries, inspiring the next generation of storytellers. When she’s not crafting stories or leading workshops, she cherishes moments with her family and creating memories with her grandsons, including her German Shepherd grandson named Mocha.
D’Agata resides in Hooksett, NH where she embraces whimsical traditions such as tucking a penny in her shoe for good luck, sending wishes with dandelion fluff, and indulging in the simple joy of chocolate—because chocolate fixes everything!
Connect with her on:
Website: https://magicscribes.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabathajean
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicscribes/
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This has been a stop on the #TheOldScarecrow blog tour conducted by Hygge Book Tours. (@hyggebooktours on Insta.) Thanks for stopping by!
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