Marc Brown Visits Todd Elementary School

In early December, through the generosity of the PTA and the hard work of the PTA Author Visit Committee and Librarian Tara Phethean, Todd Elementary School students were once again charmed with a visit by children's book author Marc Brown, best known for creating the "Arthur," the character in the popular book series and the inspiration for the PBS television series.

Kindergarten, first, and second-grade students prepared for Brown's visit by reading several Arthur books. Brown met with several small groups of students, taught them how to draw many of his well-loved characters, each of whom is based on his siblings and friends from childhood. He then sowed them a short film and enthusiastically answered any and all of the questions the children had for him:

What is Arthur’s favorite food?

“Pizza – the same as mine!”

When will Arthur grow up?

“Great question! Never!”

What’s your favorite Arthur story?

“Arthur’s Teacher Trouble”

“Where do you live?”

“Martha’s Vineyard.” This answer particularly delighted the kids because many of them have been there!

Brown explained that he came up with the concept for Arthur after witnessing a child bumping into things at school and accidentally going into the girls' bathroom. Discussion throughout the day centered around the situations that Arthur and his friends and family encounter and the problems and solutions presented in the stories. All of the characters in the series are based on people Brown has known throughout his life, including his own three sisters who together make up the infamous D.W.

The best reaction of the day was when he told students that he started writing in third grade. He told them, “You’re all authors already!!”