The Scarecrow's Dance

PreS-Gr 1Despite the pairing of formidable talents, this book will likely have a limited audience. The purposeful plot is driven by its message: a scarecrow that experiences the freedom of a wind-blown night decides to return to his post (literally) after witnessing the farm boy on his knees, praying for the straw mans success in guarding the crops. There is little action, except for the protagonist breezing along past a dimly lit tractor, weathered barn, and cows at rest. Each of Ibatoullines gouache and watercolor scenes is technically brilliant and atmospheric, but there is a disconnect with the sequencing and passage of time. Opening pages depict the corn silhouetted against a sky that is pink at the horizon and hazy blue on the upper borders of the spreads (twilight?). Subsequent spreads are a mixture of deeper blues, then a return to pink light, a misty gray, rose again, and finally almost turquoise; the effect is disconcerting. The sentimentality climaxes when the scarecrow peers through the darkness into the boys bedroom, which is drenched in an orange glow. Yolens unremarkable poetry reads: The scarecrow heard/With painted ears, /And wept a pail/Of painted tears. Adults may find this story of faith and duty uplifting, but kids will prefer the nocturnal farm adventures found in Bill Martin and John Archambaults "Barn Dance!" (Holt, 1986)."Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In an autumn cornfield, a threadbare scarecrow leaps high into the sky to dance across the darkening landscape. The pastoral evening images evoke a bygone era, and the descriptions of the scarecrow's excursion are both nostalgic and visceral. He danced past tractor/ In the field, / Still waiting to/ Bring in the yield.... He danced by barn/ As red as blood/ And two pigs sleeping/ In the mud. The scarecrow (who has the potential to frighten, though his wide painted smile helps) peers through the window of a solitary farmhouse where a boyin glowing, soft-focus lightprays at his bedside: And bless tonight/ Our old scarecrow/ Who guards the fields/ And each corn row, his prayer launching a closing poetic meditation. What prayers do scarecrows/ Make to God?/ Of sky and rain, / And wind and sod? While such reflections may be too obscure for some, the scarecrow's ethereal movements and Ibatoulline's hazy and atmospheric setting (the azure night sky is especially haunting, as the scarecrow leaps back into his rightful place) will stay with readers. Ages 48. "(Aug.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.