View source for The Scarecrows' Wedding by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

{{infobox2
|title=The Scarecrows' Wedding
|sort=Scarecrows' Wedding, The
|author=Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
|reviewer=Rachael Spencer
|genre=For Sharing
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781407144412
|pages=32
|publisher=Alison Green Books
|date=July 2014
|aznuk=1407144685
|aznus=1407144413
|cover=1407144685
|website=
|video=
|summary=What do scarecrows get up to when the farmer isn't looking? Well these scarecrows plan a wedding! But will they manage to get all the things they need to make it the wedding that no one will ever forget? A wonderfully captivating romp around the farm brought to you by the Queen of preschool literature.
}}
Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay are going to get married, in fact they're going to have the best wedding yet, the wedding that no one will ever forget. So they make a wedding list and set off around the farm to find the things they need. Harry goes off on his own to find pink flowers, but the question is will he be back in time for the wedding?

I imagine that some parents will take issue with the cigar smoking scarecrow who appears towards the end of the story, which is why I thought I'd mention it at the start of this review. I, however, still really enjoyed this tale and think that the cigar comes with enough warning of its dangers that it doesn't undermine the book for me at all. I think it was a controversial move for Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to put in, but I would trust their story telling abilities to the moon and back for all the joy they have brought to our household over the years.

As ever, the illustrations are wonderful and unique, with lovely little details such as the Gruffalo related nod on the side of the tractor, which I can tell you will not go unnoticed by any children reading! 

There is something about the rhythm and structure of Julia Donaldson's words which make them simply incredibly readable. My son doesn't particularly have any concept of authors, and yet each new book by Donaldson keeps him pretty much enraptured from start to finish, which is no easy task. I am also always pleasantly surprised by the new ideas they come up with for stories, somehow managing to combine both a tried and tested formula with different and individual tales. 

I'm not going to say it's my favourite of their books, I don't think it is, but that goes more to show just how many classics they have created. What I will say is that I've already read it a lot of times and have enjoyed it each and every one of them. I really was incredibly excited to be reviewing the new Julia Donaldson and I wasn't disappointed; I know some readers will be uncomfortable about the inclusion of the cigar, but I hope it won't put people off reading it because she really is a master of her craft. A wonderful read well worth taking time to sit down and savour.

If you enjoyed this book but you haven't read [[Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler]] yet, then do it! Another completely wonderful adventure for you to discover.

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[[Category:Julia Donaldson]]
[[Category:Axel Scheffler]]