Universal Mentors Association

23 Classic Richard Scarry Books Every Kid Should Read

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Children of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s know Richard Scarry as a kids book king. Scarry connected with readers via his characters like Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, Gold Bug, and many others as the anthropomorphic animals lived, worked, and played in Busytown. (For a time, Scarry fans were also treated to a television show about Huckle and pals and their adventures in Busytown.) After serving in the army, Scarry worked in advertising and magazines before taking a job in book publishing, working for the Little Golden Books line, where he developed the characters and stories of Busytown. Richard Scarry books have sold more than 100 million copies around the world to date. While some of the content may seem dated to young readers of today, most of Richard Scarry’s books remain kid favorites. We have compiled this list of our favorite Richard Scarry books to bring his prolific work to the next generation!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. What Do People Do All Day?

What Do People Do All Day? cover- Richard Scarry books

Quintessential Scarry, this book takes a tour through his famous Busytown to learn how everyone from construction workers and teachers to doctors and firefighters spend their days.

Buy it: What Do People Do All Day? at Amazon

2. Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Any vehicle-obsessed tot needs a copy of this book, on the double. The “things that go” pictured within are cars and trucks from both the real world (cement mixers and sports cars) and from Scarry’s imagination (pencil and apple cars). Goldbug is hidden in each page spread for added fun.

Buy it: Cars and Trucks and Things That Go at Amazon

3. Best Word Book Ever

Best Word Book Ever

In print for more than 50 years, this book has sold more than 50 million copies, making it one of the most popular books for beginning readers on the planet. Through illustrations that label everything including objects big and small, various everyday locations, numbers, and more, Scarry’s trademark characters and illustrations will keep kids returning to this classic reference again and again.

Buy it: Best Word Book Ever at Amazon

4. Funniest Storybook Ever!

Funniest Storybook Ever cover- Richard Scarry books

There will be giggles galore as kids gobble up these silly tales starring all of Scarry’s classic Busytown characters.

Buy it: Funniest Storybook Ever! at Amazon

5. Busy, Busy Town

Busy Busy Town cover

In this short softcover, kids get the chance to visit all the places that help Busytown stay its busy, cheerful self.

Buy it: Busy, Busy Town at Amazon

6. 100 First Words

100 First Words cover- Richard Scarry books

This board book introduces babies and toddlers to 100 of the first words they need to know, each served up alongside one of Scarry’s illustrations.

Buy it: 100 First Words at Amazon

7. Best Picture Dictionary Ever

Best Picture Dictionary Ever cover

With more than 2,500 words and more than 1,000 pictures, Scarry’s friendly characters and drawings highlight the easy-to-comprehend definitions offered up by this reference book.

Buy it: Best Picture Dictionary Ever at Amazon

8. The Supermarket Mystery

The Supermarket Mystery cover- Richard Scarry books

Another softcover storybook, this book is perfect for the preschool set, who will love following Detectives Sam Cat and Dudley Pig as they try to solve the case of a supermarket thief.

Buy it: The Supermarket Mystery at Amazon

9. Please and Thank You Book

Please and Thank You Book cover- Richard Scarry books

It’s always a good idea to get young children off to a good start when it comes to the basics of being a kind and polite citizen and friend. This little book offers gentle guidance on sharing with friends, staying safe, and behaving at school, among other things.

Buy it: Please and Thank You Book at Amazon

10. Busytown Seek and Find!

Busytown Seek and Find cover

When kids are bored, the ability of this seek-and-find book touring Busytown is the best thing to keep them … yes, busy. Preschool-age kids can page through on long car trips, plane rides, or even rainy days, searching for their Scarry faves.

Buy it: Busytown Seek and Find! at Amazon

11. The Great Steamboat Mystery

The Great Steamboat Mystery cover- Richard Scarry books

Busytown detectives Sam Cat and Dudley Pig are called on to crack another case when a wedding on a steamboat is disrupted by a jewel thief. This fun story will amuse and delight beginning readers.

Buy it: The Great Steamboat Mystery at Amazon

12. Best Christmas Book Ever!

Best Christmas Book Ever cover

As kids count down to Christmas, this storybook can keep them feeling festive. Each story offers messages about kindness, sharing, and giving but in Scarry’s fun, not-preachy style, and featuring his beloved characters.

Buy it: Best Christmas Book Ever! at Amazon

13. Best Mother Goose Ever

Best Mother Goose Ever cover

Mother Goose nursery rhymes are foundational when it comes to growing young readers. This oversized Richard Scarry compendium pairs his joyous illustrations with Mother Goose’s classic poems.

Buy it: Best Mother Goose Ever at Amazon

14. Christmas Mice

Christmas Mice cover- Richard Scarry books

This Little Golden Book edition of Scarry’s sweet Christmas story finds two tiny mice discovering all the gifts Santa left for their house’s children, but wondering if Santa left anything for them as well. Not to fear, there’s a happy ending in store.

Buy it: Christmas Mice at Amazon

15. Chipmunk’s ABC

Chipmunk's ABC cover- Richard Scarry books

This Little Golden Book was written by Roberta Miller but features Scarry’s illustrations. The chipmunks who lead little learners through the alphabet aren’t Busytown mainstays, but they’re cute and appealing all the same.

Buy it: Chipmunk’s ABC at Amazon

16. Busiest People Ever!

Busiest People Ever! cover

How does Busytown stay busy? With its always on-the-go population, of course. In this book, Scarry introduces readers to the behind-the-scenes action of the airport, the harbor, the farm, and the Cat household.

Buy it: Busiest People Ever! at Amazon

17. Busy, Busy World

Busy, Busy World! cover- Richard Scarry books

In 33 short, fun-to-read stories, Scarry takes his readers to many famous places, from London and Paris to Egypt and Australia. The book is great for reading aloud to toddlers or as a beginning reader for travel-minded kids. (Note: Some critics cite that the book, which was published in 1965, doesn’t include many stories of South American, Asian, or African locales.)

Buy it: Busy, Busy World at Amazon

18. Best Nursery Tales Ever

Best Nursery Tales Ever cover

Though Scarry can’t take credit for the familiar stories within these pages—The Gingerbread Man, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Three Little Pigs—his retellings coupled with his signature illustrations will keep kids returning to this volume.

Buy it: Best Nursery Tales Ever at Amazon

19. Great Big Schoolhouse

Great Big Schoolhouse cover- Richard Scarry books

To this day, this book remains a perfect pick for kids about to enter school for the first time (or those curious about what their older siblings do at school all day). Young readers tag along as Huckle Cat takes the bus, finds his teacher Miss Honey’s classroom for the first time, learns the alphabet, and makes new friends.

Buy it: Great Big Schoolhouse at Amazon

20. Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors

Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors cover

While kids today might believe texting and email are the main ways to communicate, getting mail by post is still an exciting and astonishing prospect and process. This book lets kids join Postman Pig on his route as he makes deliveries to the police station, doctor’s office, library, and more.

Buy it: Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors at Amazon

21. Cars and Trucks

Cars and Trucks cover

Originally published in 1959, kids won’t find many Teslas in this Richard Scarry book, but they will definitely be charmed by the array of colorful vehicles of all shapes and sizes throughout.

Buy it: Cars and Trucks at Amazon

22. I Am a Bunny

I Am a Bunny cover- Richard Scarry books

Another of Richard Scarry’s non-Busytown books, this one was written by Ole Risom and features Nicholas the bunny. This sweet, overall-wearing rabbit takes readers through the seasons as he appreciates what each one brings.

Buy it: I Am a Bunny at Amazon

23. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas!

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas cover

A perfect addition to your holiday book library, this story finds Mr. Frumble so excited for Christmas, he decides to visit Santa Bear at the North Pole to become one of his helpers. But frazzled Santa Bear mixes up some dates and starts to make Christmas deliveries a day too soon! Mr. Frumble has to save the day—and the holiday—for Busytown!

Buy it: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas! at Amazon

Also check out these children’s book illustrators everyone should know!

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