Sunday, February 10, 2013

Richard Scarry's Storybook Dictionary

We love Richard Scarry. How can you not?  In the last three years, I have accumulated quite a collection for my son. He will sit and explore these books on his own, before bringing them to me to read aloud.


 When I pulled Richard Scarry's Storybook Dictionary of the bookshelf the other day, my son was entranced. This is the first time he had seen this particular book, and it was love at first sight.


In fact, as I write this post, he has removed the book from the kitchen table, and is laying on the floor with it flipping through it's pages.

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
In my opinion, this book is brilliant. It combines a dictionary, but instead of definitions, each word is explained in a sentence or two and is accompanied by one of Richard Scarry's clever pictures.

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
In the first few pages of the book is a letter from the publisher, which states the following about this book, "there are more than 700 entries, and over 1600 variant forms and labels."

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
I love how each instrument is labeled in the picture above.

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
 From cover to cover, this book is filled with words and pictures.

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
Oh, there is Dingo Dog, he can also be found in Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, which is another wonderful book.

Copyright 1966 by Richard Scarry, printed by A Golden Book
It is the type of book that can be read in one sitting cover to cover. It can also be broken down into multiple reading sessions, which is especially good for younger children who are not ready for chapter books or longer stories. Or you can open the book to any page, and let it's magic draw you in. Unfortunately, this book it out of print and quite pricey, but worth every penny.






Saturday, February 9, 2013

Goodbye Pluto....


R.I.P. Pluto... We will miss you so much....

Last night we lost our wonderful, beautiful dog. It was so very sad, and we haven't said anything to our son yet. (She has been an outside dog since our son was born because he is very allergic to dogs and cats.) How do you tell a three year old that dog has died? 

It was a tragic end to an already rough week.

We buried her at my mom and dad's last night under a star speckled sky. On our way over, we saw strange light floating in the sky, which we figured out were Chinese lanterns. Somebody had slowly release probably over forty lanterns into the night sky. It was beautiful, and although it had nothing to do with our beloved Pluto, it was a comforting sight in our time of sorrow. 

But, the sun still came up today, the sky, an azure blue dotted with cotton candy clouds. Life still goes on...


Pluto, I hope that you are now traveling, frolicking, and playing, pain free. We love you old girl. Rest in peace.