K-Gr 2-In this peculiar tale, two scarecrows decide to get married and have a big wedding. They gather everything on their list that they need for the celebration but realize that the pink flowers are missing. So off Harry O'Hay goes to find a field of flowers for his bride, Betty O'Barley. Meanwhile, the farmer notices that Harry is missing and brings home a new scarecrow, Reginal Rake, to take his place. The newcomer promptly begins to woo Betty and tries to impress her by making smoke rings with a cigar. This leads to an unfortunate incident in which she ends up on fire. Thankfully, Harry appears: "'Betty!' cried Harry. 'My own future wife!'/He poured on the water-and saved Betty's life." This story is told through simple rhyming couplets that are intended for young children, but the plot isn't satisfying. The author may have been trying to promote an anti-smoking message; unfortunately, it is lost in the disconcerting image of the scarecrow burning. The pictures are done in bright and vibrant colors outlined in black. Strictly additional.- Megan McGinnis, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

While off searching for the perfect pink flowers for Betty O'Barley, his bride-to-be, Harry O'Hay the scarecrow is replaced by dashing Reginald Rake. But Betty doesn't fall for Reginald's wild ways, and when fire threatens, Harry is the hero. Jovial, stiff-armed scarecrows and wide-eyed animals star in a charmingly odd tale of true love told in singsongy rhymes. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Scarecrows Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay are getting married, and it promises to be an endearingly DIY affair, requiring only "A dress of white feathers/ a necklace of shells/ Lots of pink flowers/ two rings and some bells." But what seems to be an innocuous wedding planning story, with lots of cute farm animal friends eagerly helping the happy couple, takes a dark turn when Harry goes missing while searching for flowers. His scarecrow replacement is a cigar-smoking, esteem-crushing ("You're really quite pretty, apart from your hair") scarecrow, aptly named Reginald Rake, who tries to woo Betty (and then inadvertently sets her on fire). Donaldson and Scheffler (Superworm) are in sync as ever, from the simple rhymes that move the story forward at a fast clip to an expressive cast (even the grasshoppers seem to have rich inner life) and a dastardly villain, who readers will be glad to see depart. The only downside is the story's shopworn path to its happy ending, with Betty as a hapless damsel in distress and Harry as her fortuitously reappearing knight in tattered garments. Ages 4-8. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.