Up on Flickr you can now find a photoset detailing the changes between the 1963 and 1991 editions of Richard Scarry’s The Best Word Book Ever. I’m not particularly surprised by any of the changes that were made, nor am I particularly bothered; in general, they’re exactly the kinds of alterations I would have expected given both the greater emphasis on gender equality and the tendency toward political correctness that developed in our society in the 28 years between editions. Fascinating stuff. Well, to me, anyway.
I have to say it was nice to see the Chanukah reference added to the holidays page–especially given the awkwardly large bit of white space it filled up, which sure made it seem like it had been taken out of the original version. Given the bullshiterrific “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” furor going on in the media the last few weeks, I’m glad for any acknowledgement (even it was from 14 years ago) that Christmas isn’t the only spiritual and cultural holiday occuring in December.
