Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World

This was my favorite Scarry book of all time. My father was a pilot and every time after he went to work, my Mom and I would open this book and read the story that focused on the countries on his itinerary. It was my first exposure to other cultures and was done so in a way that was educational, but not overly pedantic. My 30 plus year old copy is so worn out, so I was thrilled when I found a copy on the internet. Unfortunately, it was the 1990 reprint. Those of you who remember this book fondly from childhood and are seeking a copy should make sure to GET ANY COPY PRINTED BEFORE 1975. The "politically correct mania" that started in the 1970's resulted in some of the stories being pulled from the modern reprint editions. Patrick Pig's (Ireland) story was pulled because of a reference to the Irish Republican Army's slogan, and some of the stories focusing on the Middle East regions were also pulled. Although from a modern viewpoint the decpictions are largely stereotpical, (a Venetian gondolier with the striped shirt and straw hat, a panda representing Hong Kong) if these stereotypes don't bother you, the by all means, share this book with your children. And Random House, please reprint this book.

I just gave my grandson "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," a book that all 4 of my children adored, and he adores it too. Thought I'd give him Busy Busy World next, another all-time, all-kid favorite, but NO! it's out of print. Lots of books that the 20-somethings loved have gone out of print and it's too, too bad. Bring this one back, and all the others, in their original large formats. I noticed that Cars and Trucks... has actually been reprinted in a slightly reduced format with colors less sharp, probably because cheap-o Golden Books now owns it. But even in inferior copy, Busy Busy World deserves to live on.

I'm 34, and I still remember the boa around the plane, and Fatima and Sven Svenson's barn and Sven Svenson's cow, and I'm going to cry because it's out of print and I can't buy one for my soon-to-be niece!I have my original book from when I was two, but the spine is split and there's masking tape wrapped around both glossy hardcovers to keep them on -- it was read by me and my younger brother so much! It is hands-down my favorite book from when I was a young child, and it is a CRIME that this book is not in print!!! A CRIME! A CRIME! A CRIME!

There is no rational explanation why this book should be out of print. In a world in which every sordid detail about Madonna, Dennis Rodman, and some wrestler named "Mankind?" is easily available, why is it so hard to get a copy of the best childrens' picture book ever written? I was given this book in the late 1960's and more than any other event in my life it gave me a desire to see the world. At the age of four I was able to find every country this book mentioned in my World Atlas. As an adult I have now been to most of these countries and yet it is still Richard Scarry's version that comes to mind. I would love to obtain a copy for my daughter since mine is falling apart at the seams.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. The ever popular Richard Scarry wrote many wonderful stories about foreign lands and home all the way from Pip Pip goes to London to Nurse Matilda of Australia. Almost all of the stories are about occupations people have whereever their home is. The famous Richard Scarry Drawings may remind you of the Where's Waldo? Illustrations. I would love to buy a copy of this book for a child. I am sorry that it is out of print. I hope that the publishing company continues to make it available.