# Who Is The Modern Equivalent Of Richard Scarry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [January 17, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248 "2024-01-17T23:35:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/1 "2024-01-17T23:35:25Z")
It’s been many decades since I perused the field in detail. There was a time when I used to love Richard Scarry books. Of course, these days many of the busy jobs have been replaced by AI or undone by gig technocorps. But which modern authors are kinda sorta close? Someone must have tried to copy a successful product? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/2 "2024-01-18T01:51:33Z")
Richard “Huck” Scarry has been creating books in his father’s style. > **[Lowly Worm Is Back! Richard Scarry Jr. Brings Dad's Manuscript To Life](https://www.npr.org/2014/08/23/342483485/lowly-worm-is-back-richard-scarry-jr-brings-dads-manuscript-to-life)** > > The younger Scarry, also an illustrator, found a draft of Best Lowly Worm Book Ever! in his dad's Swiss chalet. He says all that was missing was the final art, "so that's what I did." [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=huck+scarry&i=stripbooks&page=2&crid=3IQYRBJ12DBXE&qid=1705542513&sprefix=huck+scarry%2Cstripbooks%2C88&ref=sr\_pg\_1](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=huck+scarry&i=stripbooks&page=2&crid=3IQYRBJ12DBXE&qid=1705542513&sprefix=huck+scarry%2Cstripbooks%2C88&ref=sr_pg_1) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/3 "2024-01-18T02:15:36Z")
Maybe. It was thinking like subject matter rather than characters, though. Like “the world of work”. Still, a nice family tradition, and I thank you for sharing that. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/4 "2024-01-18T02:21:55Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > There was a time when I used to love Richard Scarry books. I **loved** Richard Scarry. Construction, ships, cites, it was the coolest to see how things worked. It is a shame pigs don’t drive wienermobiles in real life. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/5 "2024-01-18T02:23:23Z")
“A Frightened parking meter” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/6 "2024-01-18T02:34:50Z")
Like this? > **[THINGS THAT FLY: Huck Scarry Se: Scarry, Huck: 9780517616574: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/THINGS-THAT-FLY-Huck-Scarry/dp/0517616572)** > > Buy THINGS THAT FLY: Huck Scarry Se on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/7 "2024-01-18T02:36:04Z")
I learned how to read from those books! Every object had its name next to it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/8 "2024-01-18T02:55:19Z")
There’s a guy who does cross-sections of ships and castles and things. Not exactly the same. Might have the level of detail, but not the stories or characters. Does anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/9 "2024-01-18T02:56:15Z")
David Macaulay But you’re right about no stories or plot lines. Also, for a much older audience. Or maybe you’re thinking of Stephen Biesty? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/10 "2024-01-18T02:59:08Z")
A quick Google turns up sites like “71 Books Like Richard Scarry” which, on the face of it, seem nothing like. However, stumbled on this cool thing on how the books have been subtlety updated over time (by the original author). > **[25+ Changes To Your Favorite Childhood Book Show How Much Society Has Changed](https://www.boredpanda.com/changes-updates-social-norms-best-word-book-ever-richard-scarry/)** > > Richard Scarry, the prolific children's book author who has created more than 300 books since 1949, has quietly been updating his work to ensure that it would be acceptable for modern audiences. Since the 1950s, our understanding of gender roles and... ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/11 "2024-01-18T03:07:35Z")
Beyond children’s books, there’s a clear Richard Scarry influence on display in **Zootopia** and **Bojack Horseman**. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/12 "2024-01-18T06:57:19Z")
I don’t know - the one thing about Scarry that stands out is the very generic-European _niceness_ of it all (kind of like old-school Lego City too). Neither of those properties have that quality to them (neither does Lego City anymore, it’s all bank heists and car chases now). There’s not really any other modern kid’s illustrator in that vein. [Axel Scheffler](https://axelscheffler.com/books) is, I’d say, the current rock star illustrator, and he’s not quite the same. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/13 "2024-01-18T07:26:23Z")
Do they still make new Usborne books? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/14 "2024-01-18T08:01:07Z")
Yes, I think so. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/15 "2024-01-18T14:55:00Z")
I just read my kids the originals. Both the BusyTown ones (Huckle, Lowly Worm, etc…) and some of the Little Golden Books and especially “Hop Aboard, Here We Go”, which was clearly him, but had Roger and Flip (a kid and a dog) as the protagonists. And FWIW, Mr. Frumble and Rudolph Von Flugel never go out of style for little kids. I remember thinking they were really funny as a little boy, and my kids thought they were hilarious as well. Finding Gold Bug is a treasured pastime as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/16 "2024-01-18T16:08:38Z")
I forget who some of those people are, but recall looking for the bug fondly. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/17 "2024-01-18T16:16:55Z")
[Sandra Boynton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Boynton) for just [“nice funny pictures of animals” books](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moo-Baa-BOYNTON-Sandra-Boynton/dp/0689861133/ref=asc_df_0689861133/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310966765323&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8292271764650151228&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006703&hvtargid=pla-525648972149&psc=1&mcid=4b3f7f56377033b5a3260551f5b0b8bf&th=1&psc=1). [Julia Donaldson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Donaldson) (of “The Gruffalo” fame) for actual stories. And the aforementioned Usborne books for “big two-page spreads featuring vocabulary words”. ETA: Mind you, nobody else but Scarry could have written “S[chtoompah the Funny Austrian](https://matthewjagermagician.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/19030818.pdf)”. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/18 "2024-01-18T17:50:39Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > the one thing about Scarry that stands out is the very generic-European _niceness_ of it all (kind of like old-school Lego City too). I bought one of these play map carpets earlier this season and thought the same. > **[United Weavers® 31" x 44" Play Rug](https://www.menards.com/main/flooring-rugs/area-rugs-mats-runners/decorative-area-rugs/united-weavers-reg-31-x-44-play-rug/241510175mn/p-177023398150523-c-6514.htm)** > > This fun and exciting Play Rug will be an amusing addition to your child's room. The rug is competently machine made in Turkey using nylon loop top and non-slip latex backing for durability and longevity. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/19 "2024-01-19T01:18:42Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > [Sandra Boynton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Boynton) for just [“nice funny pictures of animals” books](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moo-Baa-BOYNTON-Sandra-Boynton/dp/0689861133/ref=asc_df_0689861133/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310966765323&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8292271764650151228&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006703&hvtargid=pla-525648972149&psc=1&mcid=4b3f7f56377033b5a3260551f5b0b8bf&th=1&psc=1). Sandra Boynton was what I was going to say too. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-modern-equivalent-of-richard-scarry/996248/20 "2024-01-19T01:45:24Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > [Sandra Boynton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Boynton) for just [“nice funny pictures of animals” books](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moo-Baa-BOYNTON-Sandra-Boynton/dp/0689861133/ref=asc_df_0689861133/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310966765323&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8292271764650151228&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006703&hvtargid=pla-525648972149&psc=1&mcid=4b3f7f56377033b5a3260551f5b0b8bf&th=1&psc=1). Good one! Also [Mo Willems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Willems) (who even borrowed part of a Richard Scarry title for [his third “Pigeon” book](https://pigeonpresents.com/books/the-pigeon-loves-things-that-go/)).