The Scarecrow and His Servant

by Philip Pullman, Simon Reade (Adapted by)

Overview

Outrageously zany and filled with non-stop surprises, Simon Reade’s theatrical adaptation of The Scarecrow and His Servant (a children’s tale by renowned author Philip Pullman), is an enchanting play for young readers and performers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840028997
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Series:	Oberon Modern Plays
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

Philip Pullman is the author of of several novels for adults and children, but it was the His Dark Materials trilogy that gained him world-wide fame and made him the first children's writer to win the Whitbread Award.

Hometown:

Oxford, England

Date of Birth:

October 19, 1946

Place of Birth:

Norwich, England

Education:

Exeter College, Oxford University

Website:

http://www.philip-pullman.com/

Editorial Reviews

A pair of valiant adventurers outwits a lawyer and his corporate masters in this comic fairy tale. The Scarecrow has been stolen so often that, by the time it comes to life, it's nowhere near its home in Spring Valley. Together with clever orphan Jack, whom he hires as a servant, the Scarecrow quests for his home. Along the way, he becomes an actor, a lover and a soldier. Each time, the Scarecrow's foolishness is nearly their undoing until resourceful Jack saves the day. But unbeknownst to Jack and the Scarecrow, they're being followed by a lawyer for the wicked Buffaloni family, which wants to turn the Scarecrow's beautiful Spring Valley into a rat poison factory. Luckily, Jack's cleverness and the Scarecrow's kindness (for, though he exists to scare birds, he can't bear to scare a baby bird or its parents) help them defeat the Buffalonis in a thoroughly amusing conclusion. Lightweight for Pullman, but witty, affectionate and fun. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

The book is a perfectly made gem, full of fun, fireworks, and wit. We continue to be lucky to have Philip Pullman writing for us.”–The Guardian (U.K.)
“Philip Pullman, now acknowledged as one of the greatest children’s authors of our time, is also one of the funniest and most accessible.”–The Times (U.K.)
“[Pullman’s] touch is so sure, his plotting so flawless, that you know a new Pullman means a rare treat. The Scarecrow and His Servant does not disappoint.”–The Herald (U.K.)

From the Publisher

The fairy tale quality of Philip Pullman's latest is enhanced by Graeme Malcolm's gentle, almost singsong, narration. A scarecrow, brought to life by a freak lightning strike, and an orphan boy, Jack, embark on a quest to reclaim Spring Valley from the corrupt Buffaloni family. They drift from disaster to disaster, dogged by an oily lawyer working for the Buffalonis, but the overall tone remains silly enough that none of it ever feels truly threatening. Malcolm has plenty of opportunities to exercise a variety of accents (although why people with Italian surnames all sound British is an unresolved mystery). The fantastic Grand Congress of Birds allows Malcolm the chance for more vocal acrobatics. Younger listeners will be intrigued by the talking birds and the subtle central conflict of industry versus conservation. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

FEB/MAR 06 - AudioFile