Social Change and Richard Scarry’s 'Best Word Book Ever'

By Lisa Wade, PhD

An anonymous reader sent us a link to Alan Taylor’s Flickr set, where he documents shifts in a children’s book, Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever, between 1963 and 1991.

First, the book took out two stereotypical visual references to “Indians”:

alantaylor // Flickr

Second, they added a reference to Chanukah alongside Christmas:

alantaylor // Flickr

Finally, they made several changes regarding gender. Dad now helps with meals:

alantaylor // Flickr

Jobs are no longer segregated by gender (the pilot is no longer “handsome,” the “baggage man” is now a “handler,” and the “pretty stewardess” is now a “flight attendant”):

alantaylor // Flickr

The “brave hero,” “jumping gentleman,” and “fireman” are now gender neutral:

alantaylor // Flickr

And girls are generally added, using bows (for better or worse) as a signifier:

alantaylor // Flickr

An interesting sign of the times! Thanks to Alan for so neatly putting up the comparisons!

This article originally appeared on Sociological Images.