Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Stephen Bowling to bring you this post.
Fall began on Sunday, and it is definitely in the air. This weekend was the first time the weather actually felt like fall in New England. It is time to put out the fall decorations--the pumpkins, mums, hay bales, and scarecrows! To celebrate the beginning of this wonderful season I get to share a book about a friendly scarecrow as well as a scarecrow craft round-up! The book is called Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows Are Supposed to Be Scary by Stephen G. Bowling and illustrated by Vitali Dudarenka.
About the Book:
Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be ScaryWritten by Stephen G. Bowling & Illustrated by Vitali Dudarenka
Ages: 4+ | 34 Pages | Publisher: Valley of Mexico | ISBN: 978-1-950957-32-3
Publisher’s Book Summary: He’s friendly as can be! But when his kindness causes a stir, can this cornfield guardian use his noggin to make everyone happy?
Winslow, the scarecrow, wouldn’t hurt a fly. Full of song and wearing a silly hat, the bespectacled fellow stretches out his arms and welcomes the crows to rest their weary wings. But he’s shocked when the other straw-filled-scarers get upset because they think he’s falling down on the job. Listening to his brightly dressed pals argue over what is proper; he thinks hard to come up with a better way. And hoping to find an agreeable solution, he spies the fallen corn on the ground going to waste, and the kernel of an idea begins to sprout. Can Winslow protect the farmer’s crops and still welcome the rascally rooks?
Winslow Scarecrow is a charming children’s picture book. If you or your child like resolving conflict, seeing problems from all sides, and bringing people together, then you’ll adore Stephen G Bowling’s beautifully illustrated tale. Buy Winslow Scarecrow to be a ray of sunshine today!
Purchase Link:
Amazon
Book Trailer:
https://youtu.be/XDL5Uf24BLE
About the Author:
Stephen G. Bowling is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Much like Peter Pan, Steve never wanted to grow up. Or rather, while he didn’t mind getting older, he never wanted to lose the child-like enchantment of imagination and wonder. Creating colorful worlds and stories for children has allowed Steve to preserve his own imagination while sharing the joy of learning with children worldwide. He currently has six children’s books published, and his books have also won several illustration awards.
Steve has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brandeis University. He is an entrepreneur who has worked on and holds several U.S. Patents. He heads The Prometheum Foundation, a non-profit philosophical organization that helps teach students critical and analytical thinking, freedom of thought, and entrance into the marketplace of ideas. He is a lifelong weightlifter, an avid student of history and philosophy, and fascinated with astrophysics.
For more information, visit:
- www.StephenGBowling.com
- https://www.instagram.com/stephengbowling
- https://www.facebook.com/stephengbowling
- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19443914.Stephen_G_Bowling
- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephen-G.-Bowling/author/B07S94JV84?utm_source=cj&PID=9085367&AID=15524959
From Me:
It is a day in the corn field and the crows are flying high in the sky. The scarecrows are trying to do their job which is of course to scare the crows away from the corn. However, there is one scarecrow who invites the crows to rest on his arms. His name in Winslow Scarecrow and he likes to be friendly and kind. The other scarecrows get upset because scarecrows are supposed to be scary. Their job is to scare the crows not let the crows sit on them. Winslow doesn't like conflict, so he works to find a way for all of them to be happy.
The book is full of different scarecrows with their own personality as well as looks. There is even one, Rosalee, in an old wedding dress. One has pinecones for eyebrows, and one has a pumpkin for a head. Each is unique. I love the differences in them as well as the colorful illustrations in the book. The different descriptions and styles give them so much personality and character. It is fun. I also love that Winslow comes up with a solution that everyone agrees to. The crows get some corn, the farm gets cleaned up and makes it easier for the farmer to harvest the good corn and the scarecrows all are in agreement. It is a happy ending! The book emphasizes being friendly and kind and to look for ways to compromise and resolve conflicts. It is a fun book for the autumn, and I can see kids enjoy reading it themselves or as a group in story time. The illustrations and the personalities of the scarecrows would be fun to discuss at a story time. It would also be fun to see how the kids would design a scarecrow. I share some crafts below where they could get creative in their designs. This is a great book to kick off your fall, talk about scarecrows and their purpose and talk about personality.
Scarecrow Craft Round-Up
The obvious craft to go with this book is to make some sort of scarecrow! I asked some fellow bloggers to share their scarecrow crafts and activities and look what I got! From crafts, activities, games, and snacks! There is something for everyone in this round-up!
1) Recycled Scarecrow Craft from The Gingerbread House
2) Scarecrow Headband from Non-Toy Gifts (Note the template costs money)
3) Handprint Scarecrow Paper Craft from Simple Everyday Mom
4) Chicken Scarecrow Craft from Simple Everyday Mom
5) Paper Plate Scarecrow Craft from The Best Ideas for Kids
6) Scarecrow Snack Mix from Sunshine & Hurricanes
7) Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppet from Simple Everyday Mom
8) Paper Scarecrow Craft from Non-Toy Gifts (Note the template costs money)
9) Scarecrow Sensory Bin from Fun-a-Day
10) Easy Scarecrow Corner Bookmark from Red Ted Art
11) Toilet Paper Roll Scarecrow Craft from Red Ted Art
1) Popsicle Stick Scarecrow
2) Scarecrow Tag from Childhood 101
3) Scarecrow Busy Box from Teach Me Mommy
4) Popsicle Stick Scarecrow from Crafty Morning
5) Wooden Block Scarecrow Craft from Hands On Teaching Ideas
6) Popsicle Stick Scarecrow Craft from In the Playroom
7) Scarecrow Play Doug Mat from Teach Me Mommy
8) Scarecrow Candy Jar from Tina's Dynamic Homeschool +
9) Printable Scarecrow Activities from Natural Beach Living
10) Scarecrow Acrostic Poem from Homeschool of 1
Giveaway:
Enter for a chance to win one of six prizes! Four people will win a paperback of Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary and two lucky winners will win the grand prize of Winslow Scarecrow, Grandma’s House is Haunted, and Calvin the Christmas Tree! Good luck!
