The Scarecrows' Wedding
The Scarecrows' Wedding Series
on Goodreads (1,178)
What’s inside...
The Scarecrows' Wedding is a delightful children's book by Julia Donaldson, featuring two scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, who are planning their dream wedding. As Harry embarks on a quest to gather the items for their wedding, he faces various challenges and a new scarecrow, Reginald Rake, tries to win over Betty. Despite the obstacles, loyalty and teamwork prevail, leading to a joyful wedding celebration with the help of animal friends and a flock of birds who contribute the final touches. The book is beautifully illustrated and filled with rhyming text, emphasizing themes of loyalty, love, and cooperation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay felt when they were planning their wedding?
What does the act of helping each other find the things for their wedding tell us about friendship?
Why do you think Reginald Rake's behavior upset Betty and what does this teach us about how we should treat our friends?
What can we learn from the scarecrows’ teamwork and determination throughout the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and voice modulation to bring the characters to life while reading, making the story more engaging for your child.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story, fostering their analytical thinking and keeping them engaged.
Discuss the characteristics of each character and relate them to real-life scenarios, which helps in understanding the moral aspects of the story.
Encourage your child to talk about a time they worked together with friends to achieve something, linking it to the story to enhance personal connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, work together to gather items for their wedding. Their cooperative efforts highlight the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with their peers on projects or tasks, understanding that teamwork can lead to achieving goals more efficiently.
Example Lesson: Determination and Resilience
Explanation: Despite various challenges, the scarecrows continue their quest to collect all the needed items for their wedding, demonstrating perseverance.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to stay determined and not give up when facing difficulties, whether in school assignments or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: When Harry goes missing, Betty comes up with a clever plan to bring him back. This shows her ability to think critically and solve problems effectively.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to assess situations and think of innovative solutions to overcome obstacles they face in daily life.
Example Lesson: Loyalty and Friendship
Explanation: Harry's adventure to find the items tests his loyalty, and his return demonstrates his commitment to Betty, reinforcing themes of loyalty and true friendship.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the value of being a loyal friend and the positive impact of nurturing lasting friendships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The scarecrows come up with unique and creative ideas for their wedding, showcasing the power of imagination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their own creativity in play or in problem-solving, helping them to see unique perspectives and solutions.