The Lonely Scarecrow is a heart-warming story that will appeal to children from two to seven years of age, and especially to beginner readers. It is a tale of understanding and acceptance, and it emphasizes the importance of friendship in everyday life. The characters, particularly the scarecrow and the farmer, not only learn from each other but they also learn valuable lessons from experience. It all happens on a farm somewhere in Canada, and touches on the determination and inventiveness of farm folk. Flowers and crops are planted, but problems appear before they can be harvested. All is not well. The farmer, accompanied by his little brown dog and armed with his wife's practical advice, sets out to solve these nagging problems. At first his efforts are unsuccessful. More drastic measures are needed! So the farmer and his wife go up to the attic to build a handsome scarecrow who will surely scare away intruders and save the crops! The newly created scarecrow has a lot to learn as his character develops as the central figure of the story. He learns life's lessons through his own experience and the experience of others. He looks for friendship with the creatures and people around him that provide meaning in his life. In true fairytale fashion the story has a happy and successful ending. | The Lonely Scarecrow by Joy Murray, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters