Arthur is an aardvark, and all of his friends are different animals. In spite of being animals, the characters behave like humans, and the children have adventures that real children could have. Many of the books deal with common childhood issues, like getting glasses.

Arthur’s little sister is usually called D.W., which stands for Dora Winifred, her full name. Later, during the course of the series, his parents have another baby, their younger sister, Kate.

Over the course of the series, the art style of the books changed. In the first book of the series, Arthur really looked more like an anteater, with a very long nose. His long nose was the subject of the first book. Later, his face became more round and his nose much shorter, so it was less obvious what animal he is supposed to be.

The series has been very popular for decades and has its own television series (1996 to Present). The television series often includes pop culture references or lessons about current events. For example, the Goosebumps book series was parodied in the Arthur television show as the “Scare-Your-Pants-Off” series.  It appears in more than one episode, and it was used to discuss the issues of censorship and whether or not scary stories can be harmful for children. These were issues that concerned the real-life series.  The Goosebumps series was challenged many times in school libraries. The Harry Potter series was also parodied on Arthur as “Henry Skreever.” Like the books, the tv series also has stories about everyday events in children’s lives and lessons about growing up, like how to deal with bullying (or what to do if you find out that you’re turning into a bully, which happens to Arthur when he carries on a joke way too far and can’t seem to stop) and how to be friends with people who have disabilities.

The author of the series is Marc Brown. Aside from the Arthur Adventure Series of picture books, there are other, related Arthur series and some standalone books.

Note: The book An Anteater Named Arthur by Bernard Waber (1967) is older than this Arthur series and is not connected with it. It was a standalone book.

Books in the Series:

Arthur’s Nose (1976)

When other kids at school tease Arthur about his long nose, he considers changing it, but none of the other possibilities appeal to him as much as his own nose.

Arthur’s Eyes (1979)

When Arthur gets glasses, his friends tease him, but trying to go without glasses causes more problems for Arthur.

Arthur’s Valentine (1980)

Someone is leaving anonymous valentines for Arthur. Who is his secret admirer?

Arthur and the True Francine (1981)

Francine and Muffy are friends, but things change when Muffy cheats off of Francine’s paper and lets Mr. Ratburn believe that Francine is the cheater.

Arthur’s April Fool (1982)

When Arthur is threatened by Binky, the school bully, he uses a magic show and an April Fool’s trick to get back at him.

Arthur Goes to Camp (1982)

When Arthur is the victim of a practical joke at camp, he wants to go home, but his friends need his help for the scavenger hunt.

Arthur’s Halloween (1982)

On Halloween, Arthur’s little sister, D.W., goes to the scariest house in the neighborhood. Can Arthur summon the courage to go and save her?

Arthur’s Thanksgiving (1983)

Arthur is put in charge of the Thanksgiving play at school, but what can he do when everyone wants the starring role and nobody wants to play the part of the turkey?

Arthur’s Christmas (1984)

Arthur wants to think of a special present to leave for Santa.

Arthur’s Tooth (1985)

Arthur has trouble getting rid of a loose tooth in spite of his friends’ attempts to help.

Arthur’s Baby (1987)

Arthur and D.W. get a little sister, Kate.

Arthur’s Teacher Trouble (1987)

Arthur’s new teacher, Mr. Ratburn, is strict and makes the children study hard for the spelling bee.

Arthur’s Birthday (1989)

Arthur is looking forward to his birthday party, but it turns out that both he and Muffy have picked the same day to celebrate their birthdays! Can they work things out so that they can both celebrate their birthdays with their friends?

Arthur’s Pet Business (1990)

In order to prove that he is responsible enough to have a puppy of his own, Arthur starts his own business to take care of pets.

Arthur Meets the President (1991)

Arthur gets to meet the President of the United States after winning an essay contest.

Arthur Babysits (1992)

Arthur has to babysit for the Tibble twins, who are pretty wild. He has a lot of trouble until he finds something that gets the twins to behave.

Arthur’s New Puppy (1993)

Arthur gets a dog named Pal and learns how to train him.

Arthur’s Family Vacation (1993)

When things go wrong on a family vacation, Arthur learns how to make the best of a situation.

Arthur’s Chicken Pox (1994)

Arthur worries about whether he’ll get over the chicken pox in time to go to the circus. D.W. teases him about it until she catches it herself.

Arthur’s First Sleepover (1994)

Arthur arranges a sleepover with his friends in a tent in the backyard. When D.W. scares them by pretending to be an alien, the boys want revenge.

Arthur’s TV Trouble (1995)

When Arthur sees an ad for a treat timer for pets, he wants to get one for his dog, Pal. However, when he finally gets the money for one, he learns thst some things look much better on tv than in real life.

Arthur Writes a Story (1996)

Arthur has to write a story for a school assignment, but he has trouble thinking of something that he wants to write about.

Arthur’s Computer Disaster (1997)

When Arthur’s mother tells him that he can’t play computer games because she needs the computer to work on her taxes, Arthur ignores her and starts playing anyway. However, when he does something wrong and thinks that the computer is broken, he must face up to what he’s done.

Arthur Lost and Found (1998)

Arthur and Buster take the bus alone for the first time. When they miss their stop and find themselves in a strange part of town without money, what will they do?

Arthur’s Underwear (1999)

Arthur keeps having nightmares about going to school in his underwear. What can he do to get rid of these dreams?

Arthur, It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (2002)

This book ties in with the Arthur tv series. Francine starts a rock band called U Stink to prove a point about bands “selling out.” The Backstreet Boys put in an appearance.

Arthur Tells a Story (2005)

While trying to get out of telling D.W. a story he . . . ends up telling her a story.

Arthur Turns Green (2011)

D.W. is worried about Arthur’s new secret project, especially when his hands turn green. However, it turns out to be part of a project for finding ways to save energy and “go green.”

D.W. Series

This series focuses on Arthur’s little sister, D.W., which stands for Dora Winifred. After Kate is born, D.W. is the middle child in the family. She is preschool age.

D.W. All Wet (1988)

D.W. hates water and tries to get Arthur to carry her around at the beach.

D.W. Flips! (1986)

D.W. starts gymnastics classes and learns the importance of practice.

D.W. Rides Again! (1993)

D.W. learns to ride a bike.

D.W. the Picky Eater (1995)

D.W. must learn to get over her pickiness and poor table manners in order to have a special dinner out with Grandma Thora.

D.W. Thinks Big (1993)

D.W., Go to Your Room! (1986)

D.W. is sent to her room as punishment for not sharing.

D.W.’s Library Card (2001)

D.W. gets her first library card.

D.W.’s Lost Blankie (1998)

D.W. loses her favorite blankie. How can she get to sleep without it?

D.W.’s Guide to Perfect Manners (2006)

Arthur dares D.W. to be perfect for a day.

D.W.’s Perfect Present (1998)

D.W. realizes that Christmas is a time of giving, not just receiving.

Glasses for D.W. (1996)

D.W. wants glasses like Arthur’s, even though she doesn’t need them.

Good Night, D.W. (2004)

D.W. has trouble sleeping.

D.W. The Big Boss (2005)

D.W. learns that being too bossy keeps things from getting accomplished.

D.W.’s Color Book (1997)

D.W. learns about colors on an Easter egg hunt.

D.W. in Trouble (2000)

D.W. Saves the Day (1998)

D.W. Goes to Preschool (2006)

D.W. loves going to preschool and taking part in all the activities!

D.W.’s Guide to Preschool (2003)

D.W. explains what it’s like to go to preschool.

D.W. Says Please and Thank You (2008)

D.W. proves to Arthur that she has perfect manners.

Arthur Chapter Books Series

These are longer books for more advanced readers. Many of them tie in with episodes of the tv series.

Arthur’s Mystery Envelope (1998)

Arthur’s principal gives him an envelope to take home that’s labeled “confidential.” Arthur and his friends wonder what it is. If it’s bad news, should Arthur still give it to his parents or try to “lose” it?

Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off-Club (1998)

Arthur and his friends protest when their favorite series of scary stories is banned from the library.

Arthur Makes the Team (1998)

Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest (1998)

Arthur wants to enter a contest to think up a jingle for Crunch Cereal, but he’s having trouble coming up with one. When D.W. starts singing a catchy tune.

Arthur Accused (1998)

Arthur is suspected of stealing quarters collected for charity. Can Buster prove that he’s innocent?

Locked in the Library! (1998)

Arthur and Francine are fighting, but they’re accidentally locked in the library when it closes for the night. The two of them have to work together to figure out what to do.

Buster’s Dino Dilemma (1998)

Buster discovers something important on a class trip to hunt for fossils.

The Mystery of the Stolen Bike (1998)

Francine is embarrassed that she has to ride her father’s old bike to school. She reports it stolen, but the truth is bound to come out.

Arthur and the Lost Diary (1998)

Sue Ellen loses her diary in the library. As her friends help her look for it, they start wondering what she’s been writing about them.

Who’s in Love with Arthur? (1998)

Does Francine have a crush on Arthur?

Arthur Rocks with Binky (1998)

Arthur and the Popularity Test (1998)

After taking a popularity test in a teen magazine, Sue Ellen and Fern think that they have to change their personalities.

King Arthur (1999)

Arthur’s class takes part in competitions at a Middle Ages Fair against another school.

Francine, Believe It or Not (1999)

Why has Francine been acting so strangely lately?

Arthur and the Cootie Catcher (1999)

Prunella’s sister gives her a cootie catcher, and her friends become convinced that it really can tell the future.

Buster Makes the Grade (1999)

Buster’s friends help him to study for an important test so that he can improve his grades.

Muffy’s Secret Admirer (1999)

Arthur and the Poetry Contest (1999)

Fern dares all of her friends to enter the class poetry contest.

Buster Baxter, Cat Saver (2000)

Arthur and the Big Blow-Up (1999)

Arthur attempts to settle his friends’ argument.

Arthur and the Perfect Brother (2000)

Brain spends a week at Arthur’s house, but Arthur worries that Brain’s perfect behavior is making him look bad.

Francine the Superstar (2000)

Buster’s New Friend (2000)

Binky Rules (2000)

Someone is writing “Binky Rules” all over the school, but Binky isn’t the vandal.

Arthur and the Double Dare (2002)

When Arthur and his friends start giving each other dares, they get carried away. How far will their dares go?

Arthur and the No-Brainer (2002)

Arthur and the Comet Crisis (2002)

Arthur and the 1,001 Dads (2003)

Buster’s parents are divorced, and his father can’t come to the annual Father’s Day picnic. Can his friends help him to find a replacement?

Arthur Plays the Blues (2003)

Arthur and the Bad-Luck Brain (2003)

Brain is having a bad-luck streak, but Arthur tries to convince him to be less superstitious.

Arthur Loses His Marbles (2004)

Grandma Thora is skilled at playing marbles, and Arthur gets help from her before entering a marbles tournament. However, Grandma Thora has decided to enter the tournament, too.

Arthur and the Nerves of Steal (2004)

Buster gives in to temptation and steals a toy from a store by putting it in Arthur’s backpack. What is he going to do to make things right?

Arthur’s Family Values Series

Arthur’s Promise (2001)

Arthur wants to back out on a promise that he made to D.W..

Manners Matter (2001)

Arthur and his friends prove the importance of manners to Binky.

Queen for a Day (2001)

Muffy gets to be “queen” for a day, but it changes the way she treats her friends.

Try It, You’ll Like It! (2001)

A luau convinces D.W. that it can be fun to try new things.

The Truth Pops Out (2001)

Sir Arthur to the Rescue (2001)

Arthur helps Buster to get over his stage fright.

Volunteer of the Year (2001)

When Muffy and Arthur compete to be named Volunteer of the Year, they learn about generosity.

Buried Treasure (2001)

Francine learns about sharing after she finds a valuable coin.

Arthur’s Science Project (2001)

Arthur’s mom helps him a little too much with his science project.

Arthur the Brave (2001)

D.W. helps Arthur find his courage.

Arthur Loses His Patience (2001)

Arthur gets impatience with D.W. and her idea for an anniversary present.

What a Mess! (2001)

Arthur’s in Charge (2001)

Arthur searches for D.W. when she gets lost at the mall.

Arthur Flips (2001)

A pancake feed teaches Arthur and his friends about teamwork.

The Good Sport (2001)

Say Cheese (2001)

Arthur’s Lost Duckling (2001)

Arthur is tempted to keep a lost duckling, but he has to think about what’s best for the animal.