Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 75
 Delightful Book for Children November 23, 2009
Donna Kralicek-Johnston (Montana)
My daughter introduced me to Richard Scarry's book 2 years ago. She had received one as a gift for her son and it has been the best read book since. In asking what she might want for him this year, she didn't hesitate. Scarry's books are filled with pictures and very simple words that you can teach your children. It's not "overdone" like some "teaching" books I have seen. Delightful artwork and creatively designed. I would like to shake his hand and thank him for the gift he is sharing with wee folks. He has to be a gracious man who loves children and knows how to tap into their little minds in a way that "sticks" with them.
Anyone who purchases any of his books will be quite pleased with their purchase.
Childhood favorite August 9, 2009
W. Allen (Moore, Oklahoma)
I absolutely LOVED this book as a child. Now my daughter enjoys it every night at bedtime too!
and it feels like home July 18, 2009
J. Abercrombi
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My grandmother used to read this to my mother when she was little and she used to read Richard Scarry to my bother and I when we were little. The other day I was at my parents' home looking through a box of old books and came across this one and it brought back so many found memories. Our book has a slightly different title, Richard Scarry's Best Stories Ever. My favorite stories are the very first and the very last; Pierre Bear, and Goodnight Little Bear. The illustrations are all colorful and vibrant and vivid. What I enjoyed the most about the pictures as a child was that all of the characters looked the same so I would pretend that they overlapped in different stories. There was always something very special about Mr. Scarry's writings because he was able to capture the reader and keep them entertained while also providing an important message. For example in The Wolf and the Kids he writes about a mother goat and her 7 "kids" and the importance of not opening the door to strangers. There's also several very short stories (which are just a couple of sentences), as well as several longer passages that would even be appropriate for older children. The books that my grandmother passed down to my mom were part of a set of 4 and also included Fun with Words, Things to Know and Going Places, all by Richard Scarry. I look forward to one day sharing all of these fine books with my children. Not only are they wonderful life-lessons but they will also get kids interested in books and reading at an early age which is more important than television, computers or electronic video games. There's no place like home.
So Delightful... it's Scarry! July 11, 2009
Quinn Blackburn (Pennsylvania)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In every adult is a child who plays, and this particular Storybook most beautifully illustrates the loving playful bond between child and parent. Where else do we first begin how to learn and play than on a parent's lap or tucked up in bed hearing stories and songs? There are even stories in here about daddies being daddies, and they are being told by one generation to another the world over. Richard Maclure Scarry is, quite possibly, the most well known children's author/illustrator to ever put pen to paper. His work excels at celebrating our many connections to everything in the Universe around us.
This 288 page book is a must have for every small child, and one cannot help thinking that Scarry must have been one of those rare and exceedingly clever souls who has not only learned the importance of playing with your inner child, but has found a way to share this wisdom with everyone who picks up one of his books! Even for it's hardbound size, the Best Storybook is relatively light, and perfect storybook size when you have a wee one or two tucked into your lap. Even infants enjoy looking at the clever and colorful pictures, and there are plenty of opportunities for them to learn to identify every day items from food to clothing, and more uncommon items like musical instruments or heavy machines, throughout the book.
The way the book is set up, there are many of these identification illustrations sets with amusing stories and cartoons scattered throughout. In the two page illustration entitled A Castle In Denmark, for example, we learn some rules that "you must obey if you life in a castle; or even if you live in a house." Tiny mouse people the floors of the castle imparting wisdom like the importance of not leaving toys on stairs, feeding your dragon, and putting your broom away after you have finished flying.
In Whisper In My Ear, Mrs. Mouse helps us count to 12 by whispering in her friend Elephant's ear all the nice things in her tiny house. Mrs. Mouse's 12 children impishly awake from their nap is a delightful conclusion to this counting tale. Is This The House of Mistress Mouse? is a charming tale of how Mrs. and Mr. Mouse met. Polite Elephant helps little ones begin to understand how to interact with others, but not every tale in here has some pointed lesson.
Many tales are simply things that children can relate to in a pleasant way, like Chipmunk's Birthday Party. Most kids, even quite small ones, can relate to the enjoyment of games, cake and friends. Scarry's trademark whimsy is evident in every tale. Each page is covered with the most enchanting illustrations that capture and delight the imaginations of children as they learn about everything from airplanes to the seasons. The soft blend of colorful images, whimsical characters, and simple well told tales makes a lasting impression.
Thumbing through this wonderful book, I can easily remember these illustrations from my own early childhood. I always liked to find Bugdozer, one of Scarry's tiniest characters. How interesting now to look upon this book after having passed the love of these tales and pictures on to not only my own children, but my grandchild and many other small children who have happened across my path! Perfect as a first book through to about the age when your child begins reading confidently on their own, this really is the Best Storybook ever. I've given it often as a first birthday/Christmas, or even as a "new baby" gift.
Remembering how much I loved this book as a girl, it was one of my first purchases when we had our own kids. They wore out two copies before they were grown, and I will never forget the wonder of peeking in on reading sessions where older siblings were reading to younger ones from this magical book. Now, this book graces our shelves yet again as a keepsake after the passing of our grandson who received this book from us on his last birthday. The newest little one in our family, our son's stepdaughter, is my latest in a long line of lapwarmers to enjoy Scarry's work.
I honestly believe that no home is complete without this book. Even if you have no children, you never know when you may have a wee visitor. You will definitely leave a lasting positive impression on any future generations by being wise and fun enough to introduce them to reading with this fabulous work by the incomparable Richard Scarry! Remember though that this is not the sort of book to be entrusted to those who have not learned to treat books with respect. The simple pages and Golden Books' binding is not meant to stand up to moist gnawing or aggressive pulling, although it will definitely feed the imaginitive minds of young readers. When I am too old to sit with a small child and pour over these wondrously illustrated tales, I hope I'm lucky enough to have someone to read to me!
 Incomplete Stories June 18, 2009
J. Moore-Mathews (Rocky River, OH)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The I Am A Bunny story is a partial version of the original story. I imagine that this is probably the case of the other stories as well. I recommend obtaining the complete story books rather than this collection of partial stories in one book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 75
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