Arthur Read
| Arthur Read | |
|---|---|
| Arthur character | |
Arthur, as he appears in the television series
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| First appearance |
Arthur's Nose (1976, book debut) Arthur's Eyes (1996, television debut) |
| Created by | Marc Brown |
| Voiced by |
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| Information | |
| Species | Aardvark |
| Gender | Male |
| Family |
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| Relatives |
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| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthday | May 25 |
Arthur Timothy Read is the main character and titular protagonist of both the book series and the PBS children's television show Arthur, created by Marc Brown. On the show, he is eight years old, in Mr. Ratburn's third grade class, and lives in Elwood City.
Arthur is an anthropomorphic aardvark. In Brown's first Arthur book, Arthur's Nose (1976), Arthur is shown with a long nose and resembles an actual aardvark, though as the books progressed and eventually became a TV series, a noticeable, simplified version of Arthur took shape. The character's most recognizable form is a light brown, slanted face with small ears, drawn as a bipedal, pre-pubescent youth with signature round glasses. On more than one occasion, Arthur's classmates tease him for his glasses and somewhat "dorky" attire.
The tensions between Arthur and his 4-year-old sister Dora Winifred Read (nicknamed D.W.) are a common theme in the Arthur series. Arthur is constantly pestered by his four-year-old younger sister D.W. usually tries to get Arthur into trouble, although Arthur sometimes retaliates. Despite that, Arthur tries his best to ignore D.W.'s annoying antics most of the time, and often does her favors—sometimes at his parents' request and against his will. D.W. also make frequent attempts to hang out with Arthur's friends, who relent in later episodes.
Arthur's parents are his mother, Jane Read, who is a work-at-home accountant, and his father, David L. Read, who runs a catering business. His mother is from the Pittsburgh area, and knew Fred Rogers as a child, while most of his father's relatives are from Ohio. He also has a baby sister named Kate and a pet dog named Pal.
Appearances from Arthur's extended family include Grandma Thora, Grandpa Dave, Uncle Fred, Uncle Richard, Uncle Bud, Uncle Sean, Aunt Jessica, Aunt Loretta, Aunt Lucy, Aunt Bonnie Great-Grandma (Thora's mother) and his cousins Cora, Monique, Ricky, Unnamed cousin (Loretta's daughter), Cousin George and other unnamed relatives. However, the only two members of Arthur's extended family who have appeared more than once as of today are Grandma Thora and Grandpa Dave. They are grouchy and grumpy Grandma Thora lives in a house not too far from Arthur's in Elwood City and is known to be a bad cook, but a loving grandmother (however, favors D.W. over Arthur in many scenes) and a world-class marbles player. She loves to play bingo every Friday night, and in some episodes has to watch over Arthur and D.W. Grandpa Dave lives on a farm that he claims has been in the family for 150 years. Grandma Thora also has a rescue dog named Killer, who acts tough on the outside, but has a soft inside once you get to know her.
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