Fall is my favorite time of year. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and excitement for fall and winter holidays hangs in the air. Plus, the weather is finally not so miserably hot out (unless you live in Atlanta, that is).

Kids are busily planning the best Halloween costume ever, and weekends are filled with apple festivals, corn mazes and haunted hayrides. And, of course, I love wrapping up in a scarf and going pumpkin picking.

Another fall staple? Scarecrows! Which conveniently brings us to our Backlist Spotlight this week:
 

 

The Scarecrow’s Hat
Written and Illustrated by Ken Brown
*Now available in paperback! 

 
In this cleverly circular story, the scarecrow is in desperate need of a walking stick. After all, he’s been standing int he same spot for years with his arms out — how tiring! 

He tells the chicken he’d even trade his hat for one! Now, the chicken doesn’t have a walking stick, but he just might know someone who does…

This is an incredibly cute story filled with fortuitous swaps and trades (that could also be tied into a lesson plan about bartering!) but you’ll have to read it to find out how far the chicken has to go to make the final swap, if the scarecrow can finally rest on a walking stick and what the chicken (and all the other animals) gets out of the deal!

I must say, the scarecrow’s request for a walking stick is completely reasonable. When I was in 2nd grade, my class put on a fall play for our parents and I played the part of the scarecrow. From what I remember, this was quite the honor because I had the most lines and got to be on stage for the entire play! Of course that also meant that I had to hold my arms up the whole time. Where was my walking stick when I needed it?   

What’s your favorite fall activity? Leave a comment here on the blog with your email address and tell us what you’re most looking forward to this fall! You could win a copy of The Scarecrow’s Hat for your own library! 

Happy Reading! 

*U.S. residents only, please
**Contest ends Monday, 11/5/12 11:59 p.m.