Richard Scarry, 1919-1994, illustrated and sometimes wrote the text for more than 300 children’s books, most of them set in the imaginary metropolis of Busytown. Busytown was inhabited by various anthropomorphic animals with names such as Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat, Postman Pig, Bananas Gorilla, and my favorite, Mr. Frumble.

Scarry’s characters and stories lent themselves well to cartoons and video, and several series and individual videos were made of Busytown’s denizens. Here’s one example from Youtube; many more are available for watching:

The books are mostly a bit too busy for my tastes, but my children enjoyed them back in the day. If they are twaddle they are fairly harmless twaddle. Unfortunately, I think, some of Scarry’s stories and illustrations were edited and updated in later editions “to make them conform to changing social values.” Characters in cowboy or Indian costumes were deleted or re-clothed, gender roles were de-emphasized or switched so that girls were driving bulldozers and boys were cooking and cleaning. Such silliness.

If you want to try out a Busytown adventure, I would suggest Pig Will and Pig Won’t: A Book of Manners, Mr. Frumble’s Worst Day Ever, Be Careful, Mr Frumble, or Please and Thank You Book.