Scarecrow (disambiguation) facts for kids
A scarecrow is a special kind of dummy, often shaped like a person, that farmers put in their fields. Its main job is to scare away birds like crows and sparrows so they don't eat the newly planted seeds or ripe crops.
Farmers usually make scarecrows from old clothes stuffed with straw or hay. They often put a hat on top to make it look even more like a person. The idea is that birds will see the scarecrow and think a human is standing guard, keeping them away from the food.
Sometimes, scarecrows are also used in stories, movies, and music. They can be characters that are friendly, scary, or even magical!
Famous Scarecrows in Stories
Scarecrows have appeared in many popular stories and tales. Here are a few well-known examples:
The Scarecrow from Oz
One of the most famous scarecrows is a character from L. Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This Scarecrow is a kind and thoughtful friend to Dorothy. He believes he needs a brain, even though he is already very smart and often comes up with great ideas. He joins Dorothy on her journey to the Emerald City, hoping the Wizard can grant his wish.
Scarecrow in Comics
Scarecrow is also the name of a few characters in comic books, often as villains.
DC Comics' Scarecrow
In the Batman series from DC Comics, there's a villain called the Scarecrow. His real name is Dr. Jonathan Crane. He is a very smart but troubled psychologist who uses fear-inducing gas and other tricks to scare people. He often wears a ragged costume that looks like a scarecrow to make his victims even more afraid.
Marvel Comics' Scarecrow
Marvel Comics also has a character named Scarecrow. This villain has fought heroes like Spider-Man and Ghost Rider. He is known for his acrobatic skills and for using trained crows to attack his enemies.
Scarecrows in Movies and TV
Many movies and TV shows have featured scarecrows, sometimes as the main character or as part of the story.
The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
This is a 1963 Walt Disney film. It tells the story of a hero who secretly fights against injustice in England. He uses the disguise of a scarecrow to hide his true identity. The film was also shown as three episodes on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
This was a popular TV show in the 1980s. It was about a secret agent named Lee Stetson, whose code name was "Scarecrow." He teams up with a regular housewife, Amanda King, to solve mysteries and stop bad guys.
