Editorial Review

Although this book was around when many of today's parents wereyoungsters, it has remained a steadfast must-have in every toddler's library. For starters, it's a great vocabulary guide that names the many things that go (and some that haven't a prayer of going, but are great fun to imagine anyway). It's also teeming with detail-rich scenes and characters on every page, teaching children the rewards of looking long and closely (such as finding the hidden "Goldbug" in each spread). Along the way it entertains with the silly and slapstick--everything from toothpaste and toothbrush cars to six fire department vehicles that show up to extinguish a ladybug-size fire in a miniature pink convertible. What's most amazing about this book, however, is its longevity. When you purchase it for your fledgling talker, you should consider it an investment. Even 11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds are known to pore over the book nostalgically, cooing at Lowly Worm and eagerly tracking Officer Flossie's book-long chase after that irresponsible, speedster driver in a cowboy hat. (Ages 2 and older) Read more

Reviews (86)

A Scarry Classic
I first read this book to my daughter 22 years ago. It was her favorite, and alas it wore out. Searching to find Goldbug on each and every page was the most fun, and the verse was very entertaining as we did so. It helped teach her words, spelling and all about the different ways to get from here to there. I just reordered a copy to surprise her for Christmas, as she prepares to start her own family. I highly recommend this book by one of the most beloved children's authors.

Simply outstanding
I grew up with Richard Scarry books, including the now out-of-print "Busy Busy World."For some reason I had forgotten what a gem this is.Any child will delight in it, and for parents it is so nice to have a book that can be different every time you read it, as most of our books are read over, and over, and over.

My son's absolute favorite book
My son (21 months and obsessed with cars and trucks) asks to read his "cars and trucks book" every single day. It seems like every time we read it, we find something new. Great for keeping kids engaged, and the photos are excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Automobiles    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Transportation    9. Transportation - General    10. Trucks    11. Vehicles    12. Juvenile Fiction / General    13. Juvenile fiction    14. Things that go   

Reviews (41)

Absolutely the Best Storybook Ever
I loved Richard Scarry when I was young. When I was 4 I got My first book the Bunny Book. I loved it, it was so cute. I got the best storybook for my son when he was 2. He's now 3 1/2 and i'm not kidding i've read this book to him every single day since! He loves it. He calls it the bunny book. Because he too loves that cute story. Sometimes i'll find him in his room just studying the pictures he can be there for a very long. This is a must for every childs library.I also recommend the Richard Scarry's Best Learning videos from Rrandom House.My son loves those as well.

My favorite book as a child
I am 28 years old and still remember how much I LOVED this book as a child.I read it until it fell apart, and my parents constantly tried to hide it on top of the refrigerator because they were tired of reading it to me over and over.Buy this book for your kids!I'm now an English teacher and, of course, an avid reader.When my students ask me what is my favorite book, I name this one, because it was my first loved book.

Excellent Book!
Richard Scarry's books are so simple to read, and the illustrations are classic.I remember reading his books when I was growing up, and I just loved them.This book includes many wonderful stories that aren't lenghthy so they won't lose your child's interest.I definitely want my daughter to experience them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Anthologies    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Preschool    7. Collections    8. Fiction    9. Literature    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

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Reviews (26)

Bananas Gorilla and kids...
My copy of this book is chewed, back broken, torn, taped, worn out by the use of my own children and years of my students in my Primary classrooms. I recall reading this with my younger brother and that was just forever ago. Some books just stand the test of time and this is one of those. As a teacher I know very young children like to categorize, inspect, look for something(well what else explains I SPY books?)and ferret out details. Scarry definitely "got that". I've seen children slip inside these pages and be entertained and cataloging for really long periods of time.Not that I'm suggesting it for that reason ALONE. My daughter Sylvia was definitely one of those kinds of children and she always searched for Bananas Gorilla. I had several videos that were made of the Richard Scarry world (get them) and at a very young age-two to three- she loved those in combination with the books. My son much later was similarly enthralled and now I use this material when the Standards hockers aren't looking teaching my 1st grade with students who have ELD needs-second language development. This particular book I really like because the early years social studies curriculum is "community" based and this attends to those understandings so well. I recommend this as a teacher to families, and with parent interaction and co-exploring it's a very fun afternoon activity.

worn out
I am attempting to order another copy of this wonderful book because my 40 year old son remembers my reading it to him as a little boy and he wants a copy for his two year old son!The conversations you can have with your child as you examine the pages are incredible! Our copy is completely worn out, but I have saved it for when he visits!

My best book of all time
I got this book as a prize when I was 8, and I loved it every minute. I have read this book so many times and this has been a blast 18 years owning it. It has been my source for dreams of many of my childhood dreams and these illustrations are so good. If you are looking to buy your kid a book, do yourself a favor and get this own. It was my best friend for a long time and I am sure, it will be for your kid too !! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Business, Careers, Occupations    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile literature    7. Occupations    8. Juvenile Fiction / Business, Careers, Occupations   

Reviews (38)

An old favorite
This was one of my favorite books as a child.It's great for beginning readers.

New Version is abridged
This is a great book BUT the current edition is badly edited from the original - I was very disappointed to find that the birds and the types of houses and many other pages are not in the new version. Anybody have an original copy they would like to sell?

The Best Word Book Ever!
I got this book as a gift for my son when he was 1 year old.He didn't read it until he was about 18 months. Now he is 3 years old and loves this book.It talks about getting up in the morning, washing face, hands, making the bed, changing clothes, going to eat breakfast, etc. It also talks about the Supermarket, school, at the beach, camping, etc.It is a great book.My son really enjoys it.He remembers Kenny Bear and tries to be like him.I recently bought this book as a gift for a friend. I would give this book to others as well.I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Concepts - Words    7. Early learning / early learning concepts    8. English    9. English language    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

a great book out of a great series - a review by Eli (age 7)
This book is really out of this world.I have been hooked on the magic school bus series.I can't wait to read more books in the series.The inside the human body book is full with very interesting facts and I learned so much from reading it.Arnold doesn't know where the bus is and is trying to find it.He doesn't even know that it is actually inside him.Then Arnold sneezes and finds the bus right next to him.He doesn't understand how he didn't see it before.

packed with information
Ms. Frizzle is taking her class on a memorable field trip through the human body in this entertaining book featuring the beloved eccentric teacher and her curious class.My only complaint is that the pages are so busy with information that it's impossible to sit and really read the whole book, but perhaps it's best to let a child's curiosity guide you through a number of readings rather than trying to get everything in at one sitting.Concepts are expressed clearly and with humor.Justly popular with young students.

Fifth Food Group: Magic School Buses
Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen outdo themselves in "The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body."It is their most ambitious collaboration yet, and it definitely doesn't disappoint.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Anatomy, Human    4. Body, Human    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children: Grades 2-3    8. Health & Daily Living - Anatomy    9. Health & Medicine - Anatomy    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile Science (General)    12. Juvenile literature    13. School & Education    14. Science & Nature - Anatomy & Physiology    15. Fiction    16. Juvenile Fiction / Science & Technology   

Reviews (13)

This book rocks (asteroids)!
This book is a blast (no pun intended)! Mrs. Frizzle and her class travel to every planet in the solar system.The bus breaks down in the asteroid belt and the students have to find Mrs. Frizzle on a very cold planet.You'll love all the colorful pictures and Arnold's crazy cousin!Blast-off to this book and learn a lot about space in a fun way!

Lost in the Solar System
I like this book because it makes me wonder about the solar system and everything happening in it. I love imagining what things are like in other places and this book makes me think but it also taught me stuff about the solar system too. This book makes me want to visit the solar system myself.
TheMagic SchoolBus
This book is about a class who goes to the musuem but it is closed.So they see it up close.Janet was bragging about everything.After the trip they had learned a lot Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Astronomy    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 2-3    7. Juvenile Astronomy    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Planets    11. School & Education    12. Science & Nature - Astronomy    13. Science & Technology - Astronomy/Space    14. Juvenile Fiction / Science & Technology   

Reviews (12)

Love it!
If your child likes Lowly and the Busytown gang, they'll love this book.The cars in this book are very creative and cute.

great design, fully worth the $3.99
great design!small yet easy to read.our toddler loves the pickle car, yogurt car, and zipper car depicted. a mix of real and fantasy vehicles.

Girls like trucks too
So far every review I've read has been about people's sons and their fascination with trucks.My little girl likes trucks too. And she love this book.Like one of the other reviewers, this is also our second copy, one for at daycare and one for in the "truck" so she can read everywhere we go. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Concepts - Alphabet    4. Transportation - General    5. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Alphabet    6. Road & motor vehicles   

Subjects:  1. Comics & Graphic Novels    2. Fantasy    3. Graphic Novels - Superheroes   

Reviews (5)

Arthur's Halloween
Arthur's Halloween is about Arthur who is afraid of pretty much everything. When Halloween comes, he is told he has to take his sister. When trick or treating the two get lost behind and D.W. goes in the so-called Witch House, and Arthur has to go get her. The book teaches that you shouldn't judge somebody by what other people tell you. This book is good for kids 4-8. I thought it was an ok book.

entertaining offering from Arthur
If you're looking for entertaining Halloween picture books for 3 and 4 year olds, Arthur's Halloween fits the bill. arthur's halloween
I really like arthur's book's I remeber that I liked this book since I was in kindergarten and I'm in middle school and I still read those books. It is very intersting and I love how some of the words ryum.and I will not stop reading those books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Brown, Marc    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Fiction    7. Halloween    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Siblings    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Movie Tie - In    10. Nature & the Natural World - Seasons    11. Nature & the Natural World - Weather    12. Preschool Picture Story Books    13. Snow    14. Winter    15. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Reviews (5)

Great book!
I bought this book thinking to teach my son about manners, saying please and thank you.He does say please and thank you, but the book taught even more about going to school, playing safe, etc.He loves the characters Huckle and Lowly very much.He loves the book and since he was so familiar with the characters I bought him the Richard Scarry's Best Learning Video Ever (DVD). He watches it over and over and sings along.Huckle and Lowly are great.Great book!

my son begged me to buy this classic manners book
my 5-year-old loves this book and parents will appreciate it too. i have tried to teach my child good manners and proper attitudes for years, but this book really clicked with him more than any of my talking. in fact, he refers to it daily! a very cute book, and not overtly preachy.

A book to remember
I remember my mom reading this book to me and we still laugh about how much I loved that book.Today, twenty-five years later, I bought a copy to treasurer those great memories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Behavior    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Courtesy    7. Fiction    8. Social Issues - General    9. Social Situations - General    10. Early learning / early learning concepts    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (17)

Another great Charlie & Lola story!
As I read any 1 of the 6 Charlie & Lola books that we own to my son, I am constantly reminded of what a patient and special big brother Charlie is to the funny and determined Lola. These books are a wonderful way to show the connection between siblings.
What a great book for kids who dont like to go to bed!
This book is so cute - both my girls love it. And it describes my little one pefect - always trying to do things to not go to bed. I would definately recommend this book!

My daughters FAVOURITE book!
This is it!It's also one of my most definitely very favourite books too!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's Books/All Ages    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Family - Parents    5. Family - Siblings    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Parents   

Reviews (4)

excellent book
My [...] son received this book for his birthday and it became a fast favorite.He loves to push the buttons and listen to the music.He also quickly found the "stop" button and likes to stop the music if he doesn't like my singing--then he laughs.This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

Love it!
My son received this as a first birthday present and still reads it everyday (7 months later!)The pop-ups are all torn, but he loves the music.This is one of his favorite books!

Sesame street comes alive!
Elmo is everyone's favorite character come alive in this musically interactive book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Fiction - General    2. Children's Baby - Pop-Ups    3. Children's Baby/Preschool    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children's songs    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Elmo (Fictitious character)    8. Interactive multimedia    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Toys, Dolls, Puppets    11. Movie Tie - In    12. Musical books    13. Sesame Street (Television prog    14. Social Issues - Community & Neighborhood    15. Social Situations - Community & Neighborhood    16. Sound effects books    17. Specimens    18. Texts    19. Toy and movable books    20. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    21. Toys, Dolls, Puppets    22. SALE BOOKS   

Reviews (7)

Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere!
"The Magic School Bus: Inside the Earth" immediately picks up where its predecessor, "At the Waterworks", left off.At the end of each book, Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen provide a subtle clue as to the nature and content of their next collaboration - a sly wink to those of us who catch such details. Inside The Earth
This storyis about a class of students that is bord then one day they all go on a journey inside the earth and the kids have all these questions that all get answered.the reason I like this book so much is because it tells so much about the earth in a way that is fun for the students.

Awesome Book
This book is a great book to teach kids about the inside of the earth, and other scientific stuff. It gets your imagination flowing! Its fun and interesting; I always loved the Magic School Bus series! Ms. Frizzle is so funny! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Earth    8. Geology    9. Internal structure    10. Juvenile Earth Sciences    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Physical geology    14. School & Education    15. Science & Nature - Earth Sciences    16. Science & Technology - Earth Science    17. Fiction    18. Juvenile Fiction / Science & Technology   

Reviews (1)

A fun read with your child
My 5 yr old daughter loves the show and these books are a nice compliment to the series.She has seen "My Wobbly Tooth" enough to read along with me and that adds to her enjoyment as she tries to imitate Charlie and Lola.All the books reflect the same quirkiness of the show with the unique illustrations and script.If your child loves the exploits of Charlie and his little sister Lola, this book would be a great addition to your reading corner.It's also wonderful if you have a child with a loose tooth, or is still waiting for that first wobbly tooth.Once Lola hears there's money involved in losing teeth she can't be rid of her wobbly tooth fast enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Movie Tie - In    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    11. Teeth    12. Tooth Fairy    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Editorial Review

Lola is a very fussy eater. Carrots are for rabbits and peas are "toosmall and too green." One day, after rattling off her long list of despisedfoods, she ends with the vehement pronouncement, "And I absolutely will nevernot ever eat a tomato." Not convinced, Lola's older sister Charlie has an idea.She tells Lola that the orange things on the table are not carrots, but "orangetwiglets from Jupiter" and peas are in fact "green drops from Greenland." Mashedpotatoes, when pitched as "cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji"suddenly seem appealing to Lola. And in the end, might she even eat a tomato?Read more

Reviews (24)

Charlie & Lola are a great team
My 6 month old son loves to looks at these books as I read them to him, infact he's enjoyed them from about the age of 3 1/2 months. We have yet to come across the dilemma of a fussy eater, however as a former fussy eater myself, I find this book a great way to ignite your childs imagination when it comes to unpleasant foods. Lauren Childs does a wonderful job as usual.

Absolutely delightful!
I just love Charlie & Lola!This is a great book!Charlie is such a lovely big brother and reminds me so much of several of the children I cared for when I lived in England.Lola is also delightful, and 'full of beans' as they say on that side of the pond.There's no need for Supernanny with these two, they are sweet, respectful, charming, imaginative and delightful.
CUTE...IF YOUR CHILD'S A PICKY ABOUT FOOD
OUR 3 YR OLD WILL EAT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, SO WE WEREN'T AS THRILLED W/ THIS ONE.ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE HATES BED TIME, SO 'I AM NOT SLEEPY...' WAS PERFECT! WE ALL LOVE THAT ONE- IT'S THE BEST OF THE 5+ LAUREN CHILD BOOKS WE'VE SEEN SO FAR. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Cooking/Food    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. Food habits    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Reviews (10)

Sleepy Time With Blue.
Good Night Blue is a great book to read prior to nap time or bed time. The book shows Blue going potty, brushing his teeth, and getting ready for bed. Children get a great story, and get to learn about all the things they need to do before going to bed.
Good NIght Blue
I am sure that every preschool child would like to have this book.

Bedtime, Step-by-step!
This book is excellent for the 2-3 crowd, providing a step-by-step guide to going to bed. My kids love the Blue's Clues theme and pictures, and relate well to the book. We especially like that included Blue on the potty, it gives a definite step-by-step structure to the task of going to bed, and it did not include a bath (so many bedtime books include a bath, and my child's bath-time is in the mid-afternoon). However, it is a little wordy, and you are in the persona of Steve, which my children found a little off-putting; for Steve to talk, they want Steve's voice! We just disregard the words and make up our own. When my kids are closer to reading age, with long attention spans, we'll actually read the words. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Bedtime    3. Bedtime & Dreams    4. Bedtime Stories    5. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    6. Children: Preschool    7. Dogs    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Movie Tie - In    11. Sleepovers    12. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In   

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Honesty    8. Imaginary playmates    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Movie Tie - In    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Reviews (4)

The Grand Finale
In 1986, author Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen published their first book together.It was a story about a funky-cool teacher with frizzy-red hair, who led her class on the most extraordinary, in-depth, and out-of-this-world field trips like no instructor before her.The adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her students quickly became a hit with real-life children, parents and teachers alike.No one could have predicted the success that awaited Cole and Degen once "The Magic School Bus: At the Waterworks" hit the shelves.
Parental guidance required
My science-loving eight-year-old son really enjoys reading books from the Magic School Bus series, and the topic and plot line of this one engaged him as well.But early into the book, he was asking me about nearly every other word.When I looked more carefully, I realized the reading level was higher than other books he had read in the series and many of the facts were things I had learned in junior high.I decided to take over, reading the book to him and explaining many of the topics in more detail.Don't get me wrong -- he really enjoyed the book and learned some "cool" new things about the senses.It just wouldn't have made much sense without my involvement.

Science
This book is based on the television show the magic school bus, with Mrs. Frizzle.The book contains great factual illustrations for the reader.The students of Mrs. Frizzle's class are learning about the senses so they get into their magic school bus and shrink down, and go into a students nose and from there they continue to the other sensory organs.I like the format of this book because it is very active instead of reading from a textbook the children can get the same information but have fun while they are learning. I also like hands on activities and this is as close as hands on with a book as you can get.It also gives small science experiments and reports that the class has written for the child to read.The author has such great imagination and brings the fun back into learning science. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Neuroscience    8. Science & Nature - Anatomy & Physiology    9. Senses and sensation    10. Juvenile Fiction / Science & Technology