Richard Scarry

Richard McClure Scarry (June 5, 1919 - April 30 1994) was a children's author and illustrator who published over 300 books with total sales of 300 million worldwide, more than any other author.

He was born in Boston, where his parents ran a shop, and they had quite a comfortable life even during the depression years.

His characters are almost always animals portrayed in human activities, and wearing human clothes. His most famous series of books was about Busytown. His books have been popular with children throughout the world, probably because they don't exhibit any ethnic or regional characteristics.

In 1955, he designed the character Smokey Bear for Little Golden Books.

His titles include:

• Best Word Book Ever (ISBN 0307155102)
• Busy, Busy World (ISBN 0307655393)
• Busy, Busy Town (ISBN 0307168034)
• Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (ISBN 0307157857)
• Tinker and Tanker (ISBN 0385060106)
• What Do People Do All Day? (ISBN 0394818237)

In 1972, Scarry bought a chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. Here he founded his studio where he spent most of the day (from about 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) writing and illustrating his books. His studio contained a single desk, lamp and chair. His wife, Patricia, was not to bother him except for his hour break for lunch.

His son, Richard McClure who is known as Huck Scarry , continues his work today. Huck lives in Vienna, Austria. Richard Scarry is the grandfather of socialite Olympia Scarry .

See Related

• "Scarry, Richard (McClure) 1919-." Something About the Author. 75:163-170. 1994.

External link

• The rotten.com Encyclopedia's Biography of Richard Scarry