Editing Richard Scarry

{{Short description|American author and illustrator (1919–1994)}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
|name         = Richard Scarry
|image        = Richard_Scarry.jpg
|birth_name   = Richard McClure Scarry
|birth_date   = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1919|06|05}}
|birth_place  = [[Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
|death_date   = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|1994|04|30|1919|06|05}}
|death_place  = [[Gstaad]], Switzerland
|occupation   = Author, illustrator
|genre        = [[Children's books]]
|children     = 1
|spouse       = Patricia Murphy
|movement     =
|notableworks = ''[[Best Word Book Ever]]''
|influences   =
|influenced   =
|website      =
}}

'''Richard McClure Scarry''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|ær|iː|}};<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flaste |first=Richard |date=16 March 1976 |title=Richard Scarry and His People |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/16/archives/richard-scarry-and-his-people-human-animals-sexist-pigs.html |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=The books have made Mr. Scarry (pronounced as in “carry”) a wealthy man.}}</ref> June 5, 1919 – April 30, 1994) was an American [[children's literature|children's author]] and [[illustrator]] who published over 300 books with total sales of over 100 million worldwide.<ref name="obit"/> He is best known for his ''Best Ever'' book series that take place primarily in the fictional town of [[Busytown]], "which is populated by friendly and helpful resident [animals...such as] Mr. Frumble, Huckle Cat, Mr. Fixit, Lowly Worm, and others..."<ref name=PLiukkonen_RScarry>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rscarry.htm |title=Richard Scarry |website=Books and Writers (kirjasto.sci.fi) |first=Petri|last=Liukkonen|authorlink=Petri Liukkonen |publisher=[[Kuusankoski]] Public Library |location=Finland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102022620/http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rscarry.htm |archive-date=2 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The series spawned a media franchise.

==Early life and education==
Scarry was born in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to Mary McClure and John Scarry Sr., who were of Irish-American ancestry and ran a small department store chain.<ref name=NYHistS_HuckScarry>{{cite web| author=Stevenson, Alice| title=Meet Busytown's Favorite Son, Huck Scarry| date=December 9, 2019| publisher=[[New York Historical Society]]| url=https://historydetectives.nyhistory.org/2019/12/meet-busytowns-favorite-son-huck-scarry/| accessdate=2021-11-16| archive-date=2021-11-17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117035503/https://historydetectives.nyhistory.org/2019/12/meet-busytowns-favorite-son-huck-scarry/| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media| author=Mapes, Melissa|authorlink=Melissa Mapes| title=Richard Scarry's Best Luck Ever| publisher=[[Literary Traveller]]| date=July 1, 2012}}</ref> Scarry had four siblings: older brother John Jr., younger sister Barbara, and younger brothers Edward and Leo.<ref name="1940 U.S. Census, familysearch.com">1940 U.S. Census, familysearch.com</ref> The family enjoyed a comfortable life at their 32 Melville Avenue home in the [[Dorchester, Massachusetts|Dorchester]] neighborhood,<ref name="1940 U.S. Census, familysearch.com"/> even during the [[Great Depression]].

Following high school, Scarry enrolled in [[Boston Business School]], but dropped out in 1938.<ref>{{cite book| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]| title=[[American National Biography]]| volume=19| date=1999| page=350}}</ref><ref name="gwern.net">{{cite web| publisher=| title=Richard Scarry| author=Branwen, Gwern| url=https://www.gwern.net/docs/rotten.com/library/bio/authors/richard-scarry/index.html| accessdate=2021-11-16| archive-date=2021-09-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921085327/https://www.gwern.net/docs/rotten.com/library/bio/authors/richard-scarry/index.html| url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Gwern Branwen's sub-blog "rotten.com" is of questionable accuracy, as discussed in "Talk" page. ACWilson9. --> He then studied at the [[School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston|School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston]], the [[Archipenko Art School]] in [[Woodstock, New York]], and the [[Eliot O'Hara]] Watercolor School in [[Goose Rocks]], [[Kennebunkport, Maine]],<ref>{{cite book| author=Dinneen, Marcia B.| authorlink=Marcia B. Dinneen| title=Scarry, Richard McClure (05 June 1919–30 April 1994)| chapter=Scarry, Richard McClure (1919-1994), author and illustrator| year=2000| publisher=[[American National Biography]]| doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1603321| url=https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1603321| accessdate=2021-11-16| archive-date=12 October 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012042136/https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1603321| url-status=live}}</ref> before being [[draft (conscription)|drafted]] into the U.S. Army in 1942.

== Career==
After entering the Army, Scarry was assigned to the military's radio repair school. After small success at that trade, he was chosen to paint a large sign and was then made an art director after receiving a medical dispensation "from strenuous physical activity." Later he became "Editor and Writer of Publications for the Information and Morale Services Section of the Allied Force Headquarters", served in North Africa, and was discharged from the Army in 1946.<ref name="gwern.net"/><ref name=ScarryBio>{{cite web| title=A Guide to the Richard Scarry Papers| url=http://collections.ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/20002%3A860130676| accessdate=2021-11-16}}</ref> After the war, Scarry worked in magazine and advertising in [[New York City]], including a very brief stint at ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''. In 1949, he made a career breakthrough with [[Little Golden Books]].<ref name="gwern.net"/>

Scarry's most famous series of books was about [[Busytown]] and revolved around [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] animals. While his books are largely populated by common animal species, he proved to be quite adept at giving human characteristics to a seemingly endless number of creatures, machines, and creations. Many of his later illustrations feature characters in traditional Swiss clothing and show architecturally correct drawings of [[half-timber]] houses.

{{Quotation |text=The fabric of Scarry's world was woven with a strong sense of community and cooperation. His characters work together, be it building a house or constructing a highway.  And he endowed his characters with an honest humanity that underscores his tales. Scarry knew children needed to know that they did not have to be perfect all the time.<ref name=OrlandSentinel1995-09-23_ScarrysTalent>{{cite web| author=Owens, Darryl E.| title=Scarry's talent: Finding magic in the mundane"| publisher=[[Orlando Sentinel]]| date=September 23, 1995| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-09-23-9509220337-story.html| accessdate=2021-11-16| archive-date=2022-04-17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417172551/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-09-23-9509220337-story.html| url-status=live}}</ref>}}

[[File:Richard_Scarry_Example_of_Work_and_Outdated_Social_Constructs_Therein.jpg|thumb|right|A snapshot of Scarry's illustration style from the book ''Busy, Busy Town'']]

Scarry was a disciplined worker.<ref name="gwern.net"/> Scarry was closely associated with mass-market children's publisher Ole Risom. They worked together on dozens of books, including ''I Am a Bunny'', which Risom wrote and Scarry illustrated. First published in 1963, it remained in print into the 2000s.<ref>{{cite news | author-link= Eden Ross Lipson | last= Lipson | first= E. R. | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/24/arts/ole-c-risom-80-publisher-of-children-s-books.html | title= Ole C. Risom, 80, Publisher of Children's Books | work= [[The New York Times]] | date= August 24, 2000 | access-date= February 18, 2017 | archive-date= November 19, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161119021700/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/24/arts/ole-c-risom-80-publisher-of-children-s-books.html | url-status= live }}</ref> Risom and Walter Retan also co-wrote an illustrated biography, ''The Busy, Busy World of Richard Scarry''.<ref>{{cite book| title=The Busy, Busy World of Richard Scarry| author1=Retan, Walter|authorlink=Walter Retan| author2=Ole Risom| isbn=9780810940000| publisher=[[Harry N. Abrams]]| year=1997}}</ref> In the 1980s and 1990s, many of Scarry's ''Best Ever'' books were produced as animated videos and aired during [[TLC (TV network)|TLC]]'s now-defunct ''[[Ready Set Learn!]]'' block. The Busytown books were also adapted into an animated series, ''[[The Busy World of Richard Scarry]]'', which was produced by Canada-based CINAR (now [[WildBrain]]) and [[Paramount Television]] and aired on the pay-TV channel [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] from 1993 to 1997. It reran in the late 1990s on [[Nickelodeon]] and its sister channel Noggin (now the [[Nick Jr. Channel]]). A further animated series, ''[[Busytown Mysteries]]'', was commissioned by [[CBC Television|CBC]] from the Cookie Jar Group (the successor to CINAR) in 2007, and it aired on the [[Kids' CBC]] morning program block.

Busytown was featured at the [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh]] from June 13 to September 8, 2002, in an interactive exhibit, ''Richard Scarry's Busytown''.<ref name= carnegie>{{cite web | via= carnegiemuseums.org |url= http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmag/bk_issue/2002/mayjun/csc1.htm | title = Carnegie Science Center | work = Carnegie Magazine | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081012082606/http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmag/bk_issue/2002/mayjun/csc1.htm |archive-date=2008-10-12 }}</ref> His books were popular with children throughout the world, with over 100 million copies sold.<ref name="obit"/>

Scarry's papers and drawings are collected in the [[University of Connecticut]] archives.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://collections.ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/20002:860130676|title=A Guide to the Richard Scarry Papers |website=collections.ctdigitalarchive.org|access-date=2016-10-18}}</ref>

==Personal life and family==
While working as a freelance illustrator, Scarry met Patricia "Patsy" Murphy, a writer of children's textbooks, when they collaborated on one such book, and they married in 1948.<ref name="gwern.net"/> She is credited with writing many of the stories in his subsequent children's books, such as ''Good Night, Little Bear'', ''The Bunny Book'', and ''The Fishing Cat''. Before moving to Europe, the family lived on a farm in [[Ridgefield, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite book| author=Sanders, Jack|authorlink=(Jack Sanders (author)| title=Hidden History of Ridgefield, Connecticut| year=2015| page=73| publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]]}}</ref>

In 1972, Scarry and his wife moved to [[Lausanne]], Switzerland, and in 1974 bought a [[chalet]] in nearby [[Gstaad]], where Scarry enjoyed spending time with his adult son, Richard Scarry Jr., skiing, coin collecting, and sailing.<ref name=NPR2014_HuckScarry>{{cite web| publisher=[[National Public Radio]]| author=Simon, Scott| authorlink=Scott Simon| title=Lowly Worm Is Back! Richard Scarry Jr. Brings Dad's Manuscript To Life| date=August 23, 2014| url=https://www.npr.org/2014/08/23/342483485/lowly-worm-is-back-richard-scarry-jr-brings-dads-manuscript-to-life| accessdate=2021-10-16| archive-date=2021-09-29| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929155619/https://www.npr.org/2014/08/23/342483485/lowly-worm-is-back-richard-scarry-jr-brings-dads-manuscript-to-life| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OrlandSentinel1995-09-23_ScarrysTalent/><ref>{{cite web| author=Munier, Alexis| title=His Father's Son -- Huck Scarry on his Family's Past, Present & Future| publisher=GstaadLife| date=September 10, 2015| url=https://www.gstaadlife.com/2015/09/his-fathers-son-huck-scarry-his-familys-past-present-future.html| access-date=March 17, 2021| archive-date=September 29, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929014337/https://www.gstaadlife.com/2015/09/his-fathers-son-huck-scarry-his-familys-past-present-future.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

Scarry's son is also an illustrator, who sometimes works under the name Huck Scarry in his father's style. He moved to Vienna, Austria, and has four children.<ref name=NYHistS_HuckScarry/><ref name=NPR2014_HuckScarry/><ref>{{cite web| author=Blasberg, Derek| authorlink=Derek Blasberg| title=Olympia Scarry| publisher=[[Interview Magazine]]| date=August 14, 2009| url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/olympia-scarry| accessdate=2021-11-16| archive-date=2021-09-29| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929015916/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/olympia-scarry| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Death==
On April 30, 1994, in Gstaad, Switzerland, Scarry died of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]], caused by complications from [[esophageal cancer]], at age 74.<ref name="obit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/03/obituaries/richard-scarry-74-children-s-book-author-and-illustrator-dies.html|first=Eric|last=Pace|work=New York Times|title=Richard Scarry, 74, Children's Book Author and Illustrator, Dies|date=3 May 1994|access-date=5 February 2022|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202203051/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/03/obituaries/richard-scarry-74-children-s-book-author-and-illustrator-dies.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gwern.net"/>

== Bibliography ==
Scarry began his book career in 1949 as an illustrator of books by other people, specifically Kathryn & Byron Jackson's ''Mouse's House''. He continued as only or primarily an illustrator through 1955, then began turning out original books.

His titles, in order of publication, are:<ref name=PLiukkonen_RScarry/>
{{div col}}
'''Golden Books'''
* ''Mouse's House'', 1949
* ''Duck and His Friends'', 1949
* ''Two Little Miners'', 1949
* ''My Little Golden Dictionary'', 1949
* ''Christopher Bunny and Other Animal Stories'', 1949
* ''First Book Ever'', 1950
* ''Animals' Merry Christmas'', 1950
* ''Here Comes the Parade'', 1951
* ''The Gingerbread Man'', 1953
* ''Rabbit and His Friends'', 1954
* ''The Party Pig'', 1954
* ''Pierre Bear'', 1954
* ''The Bunny Book'', 1955 
* ''Nursery Tales'', 1958 
* ''Cars and Trucks'', 1959
* ''Firemen and Fire Engine Stamps'', 1959
* ''Naughty Bunny'', 1959 
* ''[[Tinker and Tanker]]'' ({{ISBN|0-385-06010-6}}), 1960 
* ''Just for Fun'' ({{ISBN|0-307-02116-5}}), 1960 
* ''Chicken Little'', 1960 
* ''Tinker and Tanker Out West'', 1961 
* ''Tinker and Tanker and Their Space Ship'', 1961 
* ''Tinker and Tanker and the Pirates'', 1961 
* ''Good Night, Little Bear'', 1961 
* ''The Country Mouse and The City Mouse'', 1961
* ''The Hickory Dickory Clock Book'', 1961 
* ''Tommy Visits the Doctor'', 1962
* ''My Little Golden Book of Manners'', 1962
* ''Manners'', 1962 
* ''What Animals Do'', 1963 
* ''A Tinker and Tanker Coloring Book'', 1963
* ''I Am a Bunny'' ({{ISBN|0-307-12125-9}}), 1963
* ''Chipmunk's ABC'', 1963
* ''The Rooster Struts'', 1963 
* ''[[Best Word Book Ever]]'' ({{ISBN|0-307-15510-2}}), first published 1963, reprinted 1970, "new revised edition" 1980 
* ''Tinker and Tanker, Knights of the Round Table'', 1963 
* ''Tinker and Tanker in Africa'', 1963 
* ''Polite Elephant'', 1964 
* ''Is This the House of Mistress Mouse?'' ({{ISBN|0-307-12029-5}}), 1964 
* ''Feed the Hippo His ABC's'', 1964 
* ''Animal Mother Goose'', 1964 
* ''Best Nursery Rhymes Ever'', 1964 (reprinted as ''Best Mother Goose Ever'')
* ''Busy, Busy World'', 1965
* ''Teeny Tiny Tales'', 1965 
* ''The Santa Claus Book'', 1965 
* ''The Bunny Book'', 1965 
* ''Storybook Dictionary: A Giant Golden Book'', 1966 (reprinted as ''Best Picture Dictionary Ever'')
* ''Planes'', 1967 
* ''Trains'', 1967 
* ''Boats'' ({{ISBN|0-307-11537-2}}), 1967 
* ''Cars'', 1967 
* ''Egg in the Hole Book'', 1967 
* ''Springtime Tales'', 1967
* ''Autumn Tales'', 1967 
* ''Winter Tales'', 1967
* ''Best Story Book Ever'' ({{ISBN|0-307-16548-5}}), 1967 
* ''What Do People Do All Day?'' ({{ISBN|0-394-81823-7}}), 1968 
* ''The Early Bird/Lowly Worm Meets the Early Bird'' ({{ISBN|0-394-81138-0}}), 1968 (Early Moments)
* ''What Animals Do'', 1968 
* ''The Great Pie Robbery'', 1969 
* ''The Supermarket Mystery'', 1969<br>(The above two were combined in the omnibus ''Great Big Mystery Book'' ({{ISBN|0-00-138143-1}}), also 1969.)
* ''Great Big Schoolhouse'' ({{ISBN|0-00-138150-4}}), 1969 
* ''Summer Tales'', 1970
* ''Great Big Air Book'' ({{ISBN|0-394-92167-4}}), 1971 
* ''Best Stories Ever'', 1971 
* ''ABC Word Book'' ({{ISBN|978-0-394-82339-3}} {{ISBN|978-1-4027-7221-4}}), 1971
* ''Look and Learn Library'' (4 Vols.) (Library of Congress 75-151-440), 1971 
* * ''Fun with Words''
* * ''Things to Know''
* * ''Going Places''
* * ''Best Stories Ever''
* ''Hop Aboard!  Here We Go!'' ({{ISBN|0-307-13756-2}}, {{ISBN|978-0-307-13756-2}}), 1972 
* ''Funniest Storybook Ever'' ({{ISBN|0-00-138145-8}}), 1972
* ''Nicky Goes to the Doctor'', 1972 
* ''Silly Stories'', 1973 
* ''Babykins and His Family'', 1973

'''Random House'''
* ''Find Your ABC's'', 1973 
* ''Please and Thank You Book'' ({{ISBN|0-394-82681-7}}), 1973
* ''Cars and Trucks and Things That Go'' ({{ISBN|0-307-15785-7}}), 1974
* ''Best Rainy Day Book Ever'', 1974 
* ''European Word Book'', 1974

'''Golden Books'''
* ''Animal Nursery Tales'' ({{ISBN|978-0-307-66810-3}}), 1975  
* ''Great Steamboat Mystery'', 1975 
* ''Best Counting Book Ever'', 1975

'''Random House'''
* ''Busiest People Ever'' ({{ISBN|0-00-711151-7}}), 1976 
* ''Favorite Storybook'', 1976 
* ''Busy Town, Busy People'', 1976 
* ''Storytime'', 1976 
* ''Look-Look Books'', 1976 (10 Vols.) 
* ''Early Words'', 1976 
* ''Color Book'', 1976 
* ''Laugh and Learn Library'', 1976 (4 Vols.) 
* ''Picture Dictionary'', 1976 
* ''Teeny Tiny ABC'', 1976 
* ''Learn to Count'', 1976 
* ''Lowly Worm Story Book'', 1977 
* ''Busy, Busy Word Book'', 1977 
* ''Best Make-It Book Ever'', 1977 
* ''Busy-Busy Counting Book'', 1977 
* ''Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors'', 1978 
* ''Toy Book'', 1978 
* ''Bedtime Stories'', 1978 
* ''Stories to Color'', 1978 
* ''Little Word Book'', 1978 
* ''Punch-Out Toy Book'', 1978 
* ''Things to Learn'', 1978 
* ''Little ABC'', 1978 
* ''Best First Book Ever'', 1979 
* ''Tinker and Tanker and Tales of Pirates and Knights'', 1979 
* ''To Market, To Market'', 1979 
* ''Holiday Book'', 1979 
* ''Work and Play Book'', 1979 
* ''Mix and Match Storybook'', 1979 
* ''Huckle's Book'', 1979 
* ''Busytown Pop-Up Book'', 1979 
* ''Can You Count?'', 1979 
* ''Lowly Worm Things on Wheels'', 1979 
* ''Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon'' ({{ISBN|0-394-84567-6}}), 1980 
* ''Christmas Mice'', 1981 
* ''Best Christmas Book Ever'' ({{ISBN|0-394-94936-6}}, {{ISBN|978-0-394-94936-9}}), 1981 
* ''Busy Houses'', 1981 
* ''Four Busy Word Books'', 1982 
* ''Busytown Shape Book'', 1982 
* ''Sticker Books'', 1982 (3 Vols.) 
* ''Lowly Worm Cars and Trucks Book'', 1983 
* ''Lowly Worm Bath Book'', 1984 
* ''The Best Mistake Ever! and Other Stories'', 1984 (Early Moments)
* ''Best Bumper Book Ever'', 1984 
* ''Pig Will and Pig Won't: A Book of Manners'' ({{ISBN|0-679-86653-1}}), 1984
* ''Busy Fun and Learn Book'', 1984 
* ''Biggest Word Book Ever!'' ({{ISBN|0-394-87374-2}}), 1985 
* ''My First Word Book'', 1986 
* ''Big and Little'', 1986 
* ''Splish Splash Sounds'', 1986 
* ''Best Workbooks Ever! (FUN With Letters)'', 1986 (4 Vols.) 
* ''Best Workbooks Ever! (FUN With Numbers)'', 1986 (3 Vols.) 
* ''Best Music Book Ever'', 1987 
* ''Things That Go'', 1987 
* ''Things to Love'', 1987 
* ''Busy Workers'', 1987 
* ''Lowly Worm's Schoolbag'', 1987 (4 Vols.) 
* ''Getting Ready for School'', 1987 (4 Vols.) 
* ''Going Places on the Water'', 1987 (4 Vols.) 
* ''Learning How Sticker Book'', 1988 
* ''Giant Coloring Book'', 1988 
* ''Busy Busy Sticker Book'', 1988 
* ''Best Times Ever'', 1988 
* ''Activity Book'', 1988 
* ''Best Bedtime Book Ever'', 1988 
* ''Best Read and Learn Book Ever'', 1988 
* ''Biggest First Book Ever'', 1988 
* ''Busy, Busy World'' ({{ISBN|0-307-65539-3}}), 1988 
* ''Dr. Doctor'', 1988 
* ''Farmer Patrick Pig'', 1988 
* ''Frances Fix-It'', 1988 
* ''Harry and Larry the Fishermen'', 1988 
* ''Play Day'', 1988 
* ''Smokey the Fireman'', 1988

'''Golden Books'''
* ''Sniff the Detective'', 1988 
* ''All About Cars'', 1989 
* ''Best Friend Ever'', 1989 
* ''Best Ride Ever'', 1989 
* ''Best Two-Minute Stories Ever!'', 1989 
* ''Mother Goose Scratch and Sniff Book'', 1989 
* ''Best Ever'', 1989 
* ''Tinker and Tanker Storybook'', 1989 
* ''Welcome to Scarrytown'', 1989

'''Random House'''
* ''Best Puzzle Word Book Ever'', 1989 
* ''Just Right Word Book'', 1990
* ''Counting Book'', 1990 
* ''Be Careful, Mr Frumble'', 1990 
* ''Best Read It Yourself Book Ever'', 1990 
* ''Best Story Book Ever'', 1991 
* ''ABC's'', 1991 
* ''Watch Your Step, Mr. Rabbit!'', 1991 
* ''Best Busy Year Ever'', 1991 
* ''The Cat Family Takes a Trip'', 1991 
* ''The Cat Family's Busy Day'', 1991 
* ''Mr. Frumble's Worst Day Ever'', 1991 
* ''Sergeant Murphy's Busiest Day Ever!'', 1992 
* ''Best Fairytales Ever'', 1992 
* ''Best Little Word Book Ever'', 1992 
* ''Biggest Pop-Up Book Ever!'', 1992 
* ''Bananas Gorilla'', 1992 
* ''Huckle Cat's Busiest Day Ever'', 1992 
* ''Word Book With Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm'', 1992 
* ''Mr. Fix-It: Richard Scarry's Smallest Pop-Up Book Ever!'', 1992 
* ''Mr. Frumble: Richard Scarry's Smallest Pop-Up Book Ever!'', 1992 
* ''Biggest Make-It Book Ever'', 1993 
* ''Colors'', 1993  
* ''First Words'', 1993
* ''Story Book'', 1993 
* ''Pie Rats Ahoy!'', 1994 (Early Moments)
* ''Busy, Busy Town'' ({{ISBN|0-307-16803-4}}), 1994 (posthumous)
* ''Longest Book Ever!'' ({{ISBN|0-689-80134-3}}), 1995 (Posthumous)
* ''The Worst Helper Ever!'', 1998 (Posthumous) (Early Moments)
* ''Chuckle with Huckle! and Other Easy-to-Read Funny Stories'', 2005 (posthumous) (Early Moments)
{{Div col end}}

Many of these titles are preceded by his name ("Richard Scarry's&nbsp;..."), and may be so listed in library and booksellers' databases. Some (''Pie Rats Ahoy!'', ''Best Mistake Ever!'' and ''The Early Bird'') were published under the Beginner Books (Grolier and Early Moments only) imprint, and others (''Chuckle with Huckle! and Other Easy-to-Read Funny Stories'' and ''The Worst Helper Ever'' [Early Moments only]) as Bright and Early Books, although all are targeted at beginning readers. Scarry also illustrated a 1963 edition of ''The Fables of La Fontaine'', and in 1993 put his own stamp on a series of familiar nursery stories (''Little Red Riding Hood'', ''The Little Red Hen'', ''The Three Bears'', ''The Three Little Pigs'').

== Stories made to video ==
'''Golden Book Videos:'''

{{Div col}}
* ''The Gingerbread Man and Other Nursery Stories'' (Golden Book 1985)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7442052/|title=3 Richard Scarry Animal Nursery Tales (Video 1986)|date=1986|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-06-30|archive-date=2022-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712014522/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7442052/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Old MacDonald's Farm and Other Animal Tales'' (Golden Book 1986)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7441988/|title=Richard Scarry's Old MacDonald's Farm and Other Animal Tales (Video 1986)|date=1986|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-06-30|archive-date=2022-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712031840/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7441988/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Get Ready for School'' (Golden Step Ahead 1986, 1991)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7392246/|title=Get Ready for School (Video 1986)|date=1986|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-06-30|archive-date=2022-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712223001/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7392246/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

'''Random House Videos:''' (by 2006 these were taken out of print)

Richard Scarry's:

{{Div col}}
* ''Best ABC Video Ever!'' (Random House 1989)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479172/|title=Best ABC Video Ever! (Video 1989)|date=15 March 1989|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210200836/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479172/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Counting Video Ever!'' (Random House 1989)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479173/|title=Best Counting Video Ever! (Video 1989)|date=31 August 1989|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210165318/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479173/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Busy People Video Ever!'' (Random House 1993)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280074/|title=Best Busy People Video Ever! (Video 1993)|date=17 August 1993|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=8 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208201919/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280074/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Learning Songs Video Ever!'' (Random House 1993)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256333/|title=Best Learning Songs Video Ever! (Video 1993)|date=17 August 1993|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209023737/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256333/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Silly Stories and Songs Video Ever!'' (Random House 1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479174/|title=Best Silly Stories and Songs Video Ever! (Video 1994)|date=23 August 1994|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319225252/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479174/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Best Sing-Along Mother Goose Video Ever!'' (Random House 1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479175/|title=Best Sing-Along Mother Goose Video Ever! (Video 1994)|date=23 August 1994|website=IMDb|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325123921/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1479175/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

'''PolyGram Videos:'''

The Busy World of Richard Scarry:

{{Div col}}
* ''The Three Fishermen and 0ther Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''The Best Birthday Present Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''Sergeant Murphy's Day Off and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''The Busiest Firefighters Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''Mr. Frumble's New Cars and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''The Snowstorm and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''A Trip To The Moon and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''Summer Picnic and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''The Best Babysitter Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993)
* ''Sally's First Day At School and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''New Friend On The Block and 2 Other stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
{{Div col end}}

Richard Scarry's:

{{Div col}}
* ''The Best Christmas Present Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''The Best Birthday Party Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''Now I Know My 123's and 2 and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''The Best Spelling Bee Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''The Best Christmas Surprise Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''Be My Valentine and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''The First Easter Egg Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''Practice Makes Perfect and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''Making Progress and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
* ''The First Halloween Ever and 2 Other Stories'' (Cinar 1993, 1994, 1995)
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|2027926}}
* [http://collections.ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/20002%3A860130676 A Guide to the Richard Scarry Papers] at the University of Connecticut Archives & Special Collections
* {{Books and Writers |id=rscarry |name=Richard Scarry}}

{{Busytown}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scarry, Richard}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American writers]]
[[Category:American children's writers]]
[[Category:American emigrants to Switzerland]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American writers of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Artists from Boston]]
[[Category:Artists from Connecticut]]
[[Category:People from Ridgefield, Connecticut]]
[[Category:School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:Writers from Boston]]
[[Category:Writers from Connecticut]]
[[Category:Writers who illustrated their own writing]]
[[Category:Busytown]]