This book is a delight for young children. It is a large hardback with 288 pages, ©1993. As noted at the beginning of the book, "This book contains a selected sampling of stories, rhymes, and pictures from Richard Scarry's favorite Golden Books." Original copyrights on the content range from 1950 through 1968. I remember going to the library with my mom during the 1970's and being fascinated by some of the Richard Scarry books I found there in the children's section! I would frequently get to borrow some of them, which was always so exciting! I loved the bright and colorful pictures and how the matching word was listed beside each picture. This particular book is such a wonderful accumulation of Richard Scarry material. Here you have Hilda Hippo learning her ABC'S... Farmer Pig on the Farm... Cars and Trucks (such as taxi, police, tow truck, dump truck, etc)... Polite Elephant who always knows the right things to say and do, and so much more!! It is the illustrations that make the book SO special. They are captivating! But the accompanying text is also perfect for young children to be read to or even to read on their own if they are able. This book is so nice you might want to buy TWO copies: one as a collector copy and the other for actual reading!Read full review
"Best Story Book Ever" by Richard Scarry is a precious treasure. Children and parents will love reading it together, and both will most likely never forget it. It is visually appealing, colorfully and beautifully created. The illustrations bring a sense of wonder to each story. The cute characters seem to take on a life of their own. There is a spirit of innocence throughout which reflects the book's appreciation of childhood itself. It's a perfect introduction to books for the younger child. "I am a bunny" honors the four seasons with simplicity and beauty. There's "Good Night, Little Bear", a playful representation of a parent and child interaction. Other stories include "The Bunny Book", "Polite Puppy", "Polite Elephant", "Is This the House of Mistress Mouse?", "Chipmunk's Birthday Party", "What Animals Do", and many more. Children will delight in hearing and seeing what these charming characters have to share. The variety includes sections on manners, safety, fables, music making, clothes, and trees. Sometimes objects are labeled to facilitate learning. "The New Day" and "The Rabbit's Family House" help a child connect to things in his or her own world. You can also explore adventures in different countries, such as "Pip Pip Goes to London", "A Castle in Denmark, and "Pierre, the Paris Policeman". "Best Story Book Ever" incorporates traditional yet imaginative lessons about colors, numbers, flowers, animals, the alphabet, and months of the year. Older children will enjoy learning about boats, trains, planes, buildings, work machines, cars and trucks. Education was never more fun as children discover life's wonders in detailed description. Moreover, attention is paid to small yet important subjects, such as the concept of letter writing in "A Nice Surprise". Only one page long, it simply reads: "If I write a letter and mail it to someone I love, someone I love may write a letter to me." The adorable pictures show a little bunny writing a letter, dropping it in the mailbox, grandma bunny reads the letter, and the mailman delivers a surprise letter from grandma. If I were to write a letter to Richard Scarry it would read, "Thank you for this lovable, incredible, enjoyable children's book." It is both comprehensive and classic. It teaches parents too - that one of the "best things ever" you can do with your children is read them a good book. They will love you for it.Read full review
This book was always a favorite for my sisters and myself when we were growing up. It's sort-of like a sampler of stories, collected from various other Richard Scarry books. Children can really identify with the stories contained in this book. (What child would not be tickled by seeing illustrations of a pickle car, or a shoe car, or a donut car?) Nothing in this book is written in a manner that is "over their heads," which I believe is an important factor in choosing children's books. Some stories are several pages long, others are told in a single page, but all are short enough to keep the attention span of even small children. Many pages contain words beside each item, allowing children to visually associate the picture of each object, with the word(s) that belongs to it. Cheerful illustrations teach children about colors and shapes, as well as how to be polite and thoughtful. And, of course, there is plenty of silliness to tickle their funny bones. :) My boys, ages 5 and almost 3, just love all our Richard Scarry books, this one in particular. Occasionally, I elaborate on the stories, and ask the children to point out certain familiar objects on the pages (Goldbug is always a hit), and other times we just read the main plot line of the story. That's what's nice about Richard Scarry -- you can cut the story short, or spend all day reading it, depending on the situation. Overall, I personally consider this a great classic book, which has thrilled every child I have ever read it to. We have given copies to two other families with young children, and they have reported that they loved it. We've already begun to wear out our own copy. All the Richard Scarry books are lots of fun, but if you have to choose just one, this is the one I'd go for.Read full review
This book is just like I remember it being. I had one of the first additions as a child and it brought back so many memories! I can't wait to share it with my kids or better yet my grandkids. It is sure to become a family treasure!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Richard Scarry's books are children's classics. This particular 1968 edition is the last to contain "Pierre Bear", illustrated by Scarry with story by his wife, Patricia. The story was dropped from subsequent issues.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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