Marc Brown Books

Based on the "Arthur" episode by the same name, "Buster Baxter, Cat Saver" teaches a lesson, but at the same time includes humor that escalates to greater and greater levels throughout the story. When Buster "rescues" a cat from a tree, he at first denies that it was an act of heroism; he just happened to be in the right place at the right time. As more and more attention starts be heaped on him, he starts to really get into being a hero, even starting a script for his own television series, which he states will be "edutainment." ("It's supposed to be a combination of entertainment and education, but often ends up being the worst of both.") When he starts trying to get the Brain to do his homework and being otherwise pompous, his friends start hatching schemes to try to bring his eager down to size. This is one bunny, though, who isn't so easily swayed.

My class of first graders loved this story. This story hasfunny things happen to the characters. Arthur is upset because Busterthinks he is better than everyone. This story has many plots and mysteries as Buster's friends try to show him that he is not as brave as he thinks. It is easy to read and easy to follow, but NOT BORING!

My 7-year old daughter (2nd grade) loves this entire series of books. When she was younger (up to kindergarten) she loved the "adventure" series of Arthur books. We made the transition to the chapter books because they have so much more story to them. They were perfect at the age where I would just read them to her, and by now we're at the point where she reads them to me. We have LOTS of books, but no others have held her interest as well across these stages. Fantastic value for the money. I automatically buy each new chapter book as they're released.

You've got to love a book that makes getting a library card magical.

This Arthur story begins with DW's desire to check out 'Hop-a-long the Frog'. She asks Arthur to do it for her but he refuses because he doesn't want to be seen checking out a 'baby book'.

DW retorts that when she gets her own card she will be free to check out whatever she wants. It turns out she's old enough, but before DW can get one she has to be able to sign her name. [Having just gone through this with my own 5 year-old, I can tell you that it *can* be an ordeal (LOL).]

DW practices and practices--a mini-lesson in itself - until she can do it. But the story isn't finished yet. First DW has to WAIT because someone else has checked out `Hop-a-long'. Then, after it's returned, the Tibble twins, who had the book, misinform DW and tell her that if the book gets damaged that the librarian will take away her library card... forever!

Of course, that's not true and eventually Arthur corrects her, but not before he discovers that the book *isn't* a baby book but a `great book' that he remembers checking out when he was younger. Arthur then reads the book to DW (she hadn't before because she was afraid it would get damaged) and explains that she can renew it and read it herself later.

Five Stars. All in all a great book that takes some of the 'mystery' out of the library process for small children. I like that it opens the opportunity to emphasize that while it is important to take care of books, that nothing horrendous will happen if a page gets wrinkled. I also like that Arthur is shown reading to his little sister, and that books, reading, and the library are cool.

D.W. wants her own library card, because her brother won't check out the books she likes, he says they're "baby" books.

Mrs. Turner, the librarian, explains how D.W. can get her own card - she has to learn to write her full name.

D.W. works & works at writing her name, once even in a dollop of mashed potatoes, until she gets it right!

Then new trials turn up when she tries to find a book & has to wait until it is returned, & then she has to learn how to treat the library's book properly! She resorts to kitchen mittens!

Great pictures & good ideas! Should be given to every single child by the age of five years old - better than starting a college fund - for if we do not imprint our children with the love of reading, what use college?

This is a fine book to start your children off on the thrills & spills of becoming a library kid, on being initiated into the wonders of our public lending libraries & into a lifelong passion for reading.

Those who watch the "Arthur" show know that the program places a huge emphasis on the enjoyment of reading. The characters are passionate about their books, from once organizing a group against parents who wanted to ban a particular book, to waiting in long lines to get copies of their favorites. One character, however, who was always left out the mix was D.W., Arthur's adorable, amusing and to Arthur sometimes annoying little sister. That is, until "D.W.'s Library Card." The television episode in which D.W. learned that all she needed to do to get a library card was to a write her name is now, appropriately, available in book form, ready to be checked out at libraries all over, or for your purchase. The old adage says "don't judge a book by its cover," but it's hard to pass up a book with a cover featuring what is probably the most adorable picture of the D.W. character ever. The inside of the book is fully illustrated as well and the original story is kept mostly intact, with only extraneous plot points left out, probably to make things easier for the younger audience it seems to be targeted at, as well as (most likely) the parents and older siblings who have to read it out loud. A fine addition to the "Arthur" series, for both its pure value as a story and the good it will do in the drive to get kids excited about reading.

This "safety guide" is a perfect all around book for parents to read and review with children. The text is simple and covers 1-2 page reviews of common places and events that require safe practice. Topics include home, yard, meals, fire, animals, on wheels, playground, camping, car, beach, trips, first aid, cold weather and night safe practices. The illustrations are humorous and make some of the potentially scary ideas not so scary, yet the book still has a serious tone. The pictures clearly illustrate (and parents can certainly discuss them) what the text is saying for both younger nonreaders and the older elementary age readers. And the dinosaur topic is sure to appeal to a broad range of ages. I have purchased or checked out from the library several specific topic safety books (strangers, fire) but this one is a great addition because it includes many subjects not necessarily worthy of an individual book.

This is a awesome book for kids.First of all it has great safety tips for your children.Also it has cute,funny pictures of dinosaurs.Most important it will educate your kids on what to do in case of a fire or if something happens on a camping trip.This book gives you safety rules for water emergencies to car safety.Plus this book is great for the whole family.So if you are looking for a great book on safety for your kids this book is definitely for you.

This is a great book for the whole family!It teaches kids about safety in different situations. This book will educate your children by telling them rules like what to do in case of a fire.Also, it will teach your kids about camping safety to water safety.Another thing this book countains is cute, funny pictures of dinosaurs. So if you are looking for a great book to educate your kids about safety this book is for you.

I loved this book when I was a kid. The story line and interjected humor will entertain and interest children making this an unforgetable story!

I remember my mom reading this book to me as a small child. We would read it together right before bedtime. I am now a senior in college getting ready to become a teacher and I will more than likely share this book with my future students because it has special meaning to me. I could see it being used to teach number sense and rhyming but I would be careful when using it in the classroom because of its underlying Halloween theme. Overall it is a great book that has sentimental value to me.

The text and pictures are wonderful. It is a fun story about 4 witches who eat "bat wing sandwiches" and brush their teeth with "spider paste". This story is an annual Halloween favorite with my three children, ages 2, 4, and 6. I have shared this book with K -1 grade classes, and they seem to really enjoy it. The reading level is 1 - 2 grade.

My 3 year old grandson loved this book. He had such fun lifting the flaps and putting on the stickers. He has removed the stickers repeatedly and they still stick back on the pages. He still loves to lift the flaps after dozens of times rereading the book. I will be looking for more books with lift the flaps and stickers included. This is a wonderful book for a 3 year old.

Our children, ages 5 and 21/2 love this book! They had a ball putting on the stickers (with a fair amount of parental supervision) and never tire of lifting the flaps on each page. I worried that after the "sticker fun" was over, they'd lose interest in the book, but they are still fascinated with their handiwork and enjoy the simple story of Arthur's Christmas. The artwork is fun and the book itself is quite sturdy - even in the hands of a toddler. We collect Christmas books and this is definitely one of the favorites for my kids.

I have purchased several Arthur books for my grandson and he loves them. The illustrations and text provide a lot of opportunities for questions and comments which really gets kids "into" the stories. The story subjects are about everyday life with which kids can identify. I love the fact that all the Arthur books seem to have a lesson about making good choices.

"Arthur Helps Out" is one of the most recent in a series of large paperback "Arthur" stories targeted at slightly younger audiences than the Arthur Adventure books, or the chapter books based on the TV episodes.

"Arthur Helps Out" finds Arthur wanting to go out and play, but it turns out there's some work he's been putting off that has now caught up to him. He has to clean out his room, give Pal a bath, deal with the trash and more. Only once he's completed all of this can he go play, but all of the work is rather tiring.

Like all other releases in this set, all pages are fully illustrated. The story is fairly simple, but good enough to hold interest. The illustrations are also fairly well-detailed, with things to read and small side-gags.

Overall, another fine addition to the ever-growing collection of "Arthur" books.

I couldn't put it down because of the adventures,Arthur and Francine had.

I am a second grader. I think this is a very good book to read for a kid my age. It is a very exciting and funny book. I think it is the best "Arthur" chapter book I have ever read. I think you should read it.

My older son (now 9) had it when he was a baby and now I am buying it for my 8 month old again.

My daughter can't do without this book. I am amazed to see how many different words she learned. I strongly recommend it to the parents.

My daughter loves books and especially Arthur books. I asked her if she would rather have Princess books or Arthur books and she said Arthur books. I was really surprised because she loves everything Princess. I love these books also. They are the perfect lenght and teach lessons. I got her two more for Christmas, I want to get her all of them.

Muffy is throwing a Spring Fling party! Arthur, Francine, Binky, Fern, Buster, Muffy, and The Brain play games like the Egg Push and the Bunny Hop (sack races). In each even, Arthur finishes last-and his friends tease him about being slow. The highlight of the party, however, is a huge solid chocolate egg. Whoever finds the most jelly beans in the Jelly Bean Hunt wins the prize! Will Arthur finish last again? Who will win the huge chocolate egg?

Beautifully illustrated in pastels and bright colors, Arthur's Jelly Beans is a fun book celebrating spring and Easter (although Easter isn't mentioned). On the back of the book is Arthur's Jelly Bean Game featuring a game board. All you need to play is a penny and a few jelly beans as game pieces!

I read Arthur, Clean Your Room! So it started out like this: Arthur goes to his room. His mom tells him to clean his room and he has a garage sale! My favorite part was when his mom comes upstairs and she was proud of him. I think you shouldn't read this book if you like your room clean!!!

Dawna says: "I liked the stickers. I liked the pictures. I like to read. I want to have a garage sale like Arthur. My favorite sticker is the money sticker!"