Comments on: Richard Scarry’s ‘Best Word Book Ever’, 1963 / 1991 http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/ The past is a foreign country. This is your passport. Mon, 21 Nov 2024 06:53:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Lottie http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-64605 Lottie Mon, 19 Sep 2024 14:06:39 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-64605 Gosh! What a lot of replies! Though I am not surprised as we all love to be reminiscent of our childhoods. Fabulous book I remember it well; it was very popular here in England. Lovely & very interesting article. Gosh! What a lot of replies! Though I am not surprised as we all love to be reminiscent of our childhoods. Fabulous book I remember it well; it was very popular here in England. Lovely & very interesting article.

]]> By: Larry http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-61549 Larry Wed, 07 Sep 2024 19:09:51 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-61549 Someone's been watching "Free to Be You and Me" a bit too often. Someone’s been watching “Free to Be You and Me” a bit too often.

]]> By: David http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-61032 David Sun, 04 Sep 2024 13:14:00 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-61032 I guess it's politically incorrect to play cowboys and indians anymore. "He comes promptly when called to breakfast." Why did that one need to be changed? Oh, right. We don't teach or children manners, or let them know they should actually listen when called. Seriously, calling someone handsome and pretty is not acceptable anymore? Really? And seriously, if we're going to be so p.c., where's Ramadan and Kwanza, and really, where's the yarmulke on the head of the mouse appreciating the menorah? I applaud the parents who realized that, if they're actually reading the original book to the child, they can actually have a CONVERSATION with the child, and explain how things USED to be. It's our history...do we choose to ignore it by erasing the words? Or do we teach future generations as to how things WERE and how they are now, and how they SHOULD be. I guess it’s politically incorrect to play cowboys and indians anymore. “He comes promptly when called to breakfast.” Why did that one need to be changed? Oh, right. We don’t teach or children manners, or let them know they should actually listen when called. Seriously, calling someone handsome and pretty is not acceptable anymore? Really? And seriously, if we’re going to be so p.c., where’s Ramadan and Kwanza, and really, where’s the yarmulke on the head of the mouse appreciating the menorah? I applaud the parents who realized that, if they’re actually reading the original book to the child, they can actually have a CONVERSATION with the child, and explain how things USED to be. It’s our history…do we choose to ignore it by erasing the words? Or do we teach future generations as to how things WERE and how they are now, and how they SHOULD be.

]]> By: Julia http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-60796 Julia Fri, 02 Sep 2024 20:57:36 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-60796 I think if the book was not revised a lot of children would have trouble relating to it, which would be sad as it is a great format. It would be nice to think that you could have a conversation pointing out how life has changed over the decades with your children - perhaps there could be an addendum at the end of the book showing changes made for the curious children in the household. It was all brought home to me recently when the teenagers in our household watched the Dolly Parton movie "Nine to Five". Although they are both very bright I was quite surprised to find that they did not follow the film although they found it quite funny. Discussing it afterwards I was quite taken aback to find the 15 year old could not understand Dolly's job (a typist in a typing pool). Nor could either child understand why the women in the film put up with the sexist boss. I think if the book was not revised a lot of children would have trouble relating to it, which would be sad as it is a great format. It would be nice to think that you could have a conversation pointing out how life has changed over the decades with your children – perhaps there could be an addendum at the end of the book showing changes made for the curious children in the household.
It was all brought home to me recently when the teenagers in our household watched the Dolly Parton movie “Nine to Five”. Although they are both very bright I was quite surprised to find that they did not follow the film although they found it quite funny. Discussing it afterwards I was quite taken aback to find the 15 year old could not understand Dolly’s job (a typist in a typing pool). Nor could either child understand why the women in the film put up with the sexist boss.

]]> By: Jinx http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-60591 Jinx Fri, 02 Sep 2024 01:19:06 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-60591 Even in 1968 when I first read my brothers' copy, the book needed updating. But I adore Richard Scarry, and his amazing funny animals gave me hours of delight with my family as a small child. One of my few happy memories.... Even in 1968 when I first read my brothers’ copy, the book needed updating.

But I adore Richard Scarry, and his amazing funny animals gave me hours of delight with my family as a small child. One of my few happy memories….

]]> By: Katherine http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/the-best-word-book-ever-1963-and-1991/#comment-59331 Katherine Wed, 24 Aug 2024 20:03:36 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=22426#comment-59331 Thanks so much for cataloging the changes, I find it fascinating to actually be able to see them. I've heard them mentioned, and heard complaints about how the book used to be, it's really interesting to finally be able to see it. I think it would be great to have both copies, the modern copy is great for toddlers learning about the world they are moving into, the old one facinating for going over with older kids. Thanks so much for cataloging the changes, I find it fascinating to actually be able to see them. I’ve heard them mentioned, and heard complaints about how the book used to be, it’s really interesting to finally be able to see it. I think it would be great to have both copies, the modern copy is great for toddlers learning about the world they are moving into, the old one facinating for going over with older kids.

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