"Busy, Busy Town", "What Do People Do All Day", and "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" are pretty much a complete pre-K Library all by themselves. And "What Do People Do All Day" is a great way for kids to learn about people, jobs, and the world around them.

  They are calm and gentle books. The characters are bright, energetic and cheerful. The stories are about activity, sharing, doing things, working and playing. The jokes are just right for little ones. There is no irony or condescension in the art or in the writing.

  You know how people would make fun of Mr. Rogers, but moms and dads came to appreciate his calm, gentle and supportive influence. Well, that's sort of the feeling you get from Scarry's work. No showboating; no post-modern take; no grim in-your-face shots. Just energy and gracefulness. Lowly Worm is a fun little guy. Huckle is a solid kid. Adults are responsible and trustworthy. Things are neat and cool and exciting and fun, and sometimes a little silly.

  Now, you probably don't really want a full time diet of Scarry, and edgy or zany or frantic can be fun in the mix too, but day in and day out and generation after generation, these books are solid. (And you know what? The Scarry VHS tapes and DVD's are as mellow as the books, and just seem to fascinate the kids.)
"Busy, Busy Town", "What Do People Do All Day", and "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" are pretty much a complete pre-K Library all by themselves. And "What Do People Do All Day" is a great way for kids to learn about people, jobs, and the world around them. They are calm and gentle books. The characters are bright, energetic and cheerful. The stories are about activity, sharing, doing things, working and playing. The jokes are just right for little ones. There is no irony or condescension in the art or in the writing. You know how people would make fun of Mr. Rogers, but moms and dads came to appreciate his calm, gentle and supportive influence. Well, that's sort of the feeling you get from Scarry's work. No showboating; no post-modern take; no grim in-your-face shots. Just energy and gracefulness. Lowly Worm is a fun little guy. Huckle is a solid kid. Adults are responsible and trustworthy. Things are neat and cool and exciting and fun, and sometimes a little silly. Now, you probably don't really want a full time diet of Scarry, and edgy or zany or frantic can be fun in the mix too, but day in and day out and generation after generation, these books are solid. (And you know what? The Scarry VHS tapes and DVD's are as mellow as the books, and just seem to fascinate the kids. )