The television series “Arthur” is based on the books by Marc Brown, available at any children’s bookstore. The storylines are the same, as are the characters, but the drawings in the books are more complex. It’s worth picking up a copy to see the detailed fur on some of the characters, who just happen to be animals.
Arthur is an aardvark. His best friend, Buster, is a rabbit, while his other good friend, Francine, is a gorilla. Each of these animals have taken on enough human characteristics that you don’t feel you’ve stepped into a zoo, but they retain enough animal-ness to make things interesting. Take, for instance, Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn, who is indeed a rat.
Arthur is a pretty typical 3rd grader. He lives with his mother, father, and two little sisters in a two-story home, goes to school every day, plays sports, and also plays the piano. He’s a little insecure about performing in public, doesn’t want to make mistakes, and is trying to figure out his place in the world, much as we all do. His sister D.W. plays the constant foil, pestering him at every opportunity and interfering with his agenda. Baby Kate mostly gurgles and coos at this point, but I’m sure that lurking in her little baby subconscious, she’s hatching nefarious deeds of her own. After all, isn’t it a little sister’s job to annoy her older brother?
Most of Arthur’s adventures take place at school or with friends after school. Together they play soccer, visit the town dump on a field trip, find ways to annoy Francine’s next-door neighbor, and picket against the closing of the Sugar Bowl, their local hangout.
This show teaches children social skills and how to navigate their way through a world that seems to be rapidly changing. I give it high marks for education and entertainment, and the parent annoyance factor is fairly low.
Tristi’s Score: 8 for Education, 8 for Entertainment, and the Parent Annoyance Factor is 1.
