The Scarecrows and Their Child

by Mary Stolz, Amy Schwartz (Illustrator)

While looking for employment, two scarecrows become separated from their cat child, finding each other again on Halloween

Genres: Halloween

67 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

Mary Stolz was a noted author for children and adolescents whose novels earned critical praise for the seriousness with which they took the problems of young people. Two of her books ''Belling the Tiger'' (1961) and ''The Noonday Friends'' (1965), were named Newbery Honor books by the ALA but it was her novels for young adults that combined romance with realistic situations that won devotion from her fans. Young men often created more problems and did not always provide happy ever after endings. Her heroines had to cope with complex situations and learn how to take action whether it was working as nurses (The Organdy Cupcakes), living in a housing project (Ready or Not), or escaping from being a social misfit by working for the summer as a waitress (The Sea Gulls Woke Me).

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being abandoned after the farm on which Handforth AKA Handy, and Blossom worked was foreclosed, the two scarecrows married each other and set up house keeping in an old barn. Soon they became the parents of a kitten named Bohel. During harvest time Handy and Blossom were taken to be decor for a front yard, and Bohel was left alone. Bohel was determined to find his parents, and with the help of a broom he leaves the barn to locate them. An interesting tale of family and fantasy.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cat searches for his scarecrow parents after they are separated.

This is a beginning chapter book, and it is the sweet story of two scarecrows whose farm is foreclosed and abandoned. After years of faithfully manning their posts despite the growing ruin around them, Handy decides to leave the fallow cornfield, marches over to the former vegetable patch, and declares his love for Blossom. So their story begins.

They live happily in the dilapidated barn and have a child who is a black cat rather than a baby scarecrow. Unable to adjust to retirement, Handy grows restless and tries seeking employment elsewhere. He unexpectedly gets his wish when a couple pick him and his wife up to display as outdoor Halloween decor. Separated from his parents on the eve of Halloween, their child is at a loss for how to find them.

This is a sweet story that Halloween haters will have a hard time objecting to although there is something of a witches' sabbath Halloween celebration at the end. It's almost too gentle for modern audiences: a loving couple and their child. The writing is excellent. The words are simple, but storytelling is lovely and ideas complex.

[Cao Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I've read so for this year , I've enjoyed " The Scarecrows and Their Child " by Mary Stols . In its chapter , a couple of crowns who leave their farmers instead of do whatever and where the farmer put them on the farm to scare birds . This is a positive and connected book to the readers , Handy and Miss Blossum the two main characters ,take care of a " black mirror cat " and feels like he's their child , It made an impression on me because the love of the crows and the cat , after they got separate many times by owners and sellers ...

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this whimsical tale about two scarecrows who decide to marry and have a cat-child. After existing peacefully in an abandoned barn, Handy and Blossom (the scarecrows) are abducted to be decorations on a young couples house, leaving their cat-child, Bohel alone. Scared and lonely, Bohel hopes he can find his parents at the magical Halloween jamboree. The line drawings are charming and amusing, highlighting this warm and delightful story.