Arthur

I loved Arthur! This is the first book for some time that has made me laugh out loud, at both pictures and words. I'm pleased to say it had the same effect on the children. Well, you see, Arthur is a dog (possibly a relation of What-a-Mess but certainly from the wrong side of the blanket) who lives in Mrs Humber's Pet Shop and wants a home. Unfortunately ordinary brown dogs are out of fashion; everybody wants a rabbit. So Arthur practises being a rabbit until he is sure he could be one. By then, however, the trend has changed and everyone wants a pet snake. So Arthur practises 'hissing and slithering and sliding and looking cool' until he's sure he could be a snake... but by then it's fish that are in....

Arthur's attempts to turn himself into whatever animal is wanted are gloriously illustrated and genuinely funny. There is also an underlying feeling of pathos in his attempts to curry favour which adds depth to the book. The happy ending (a little girl has been watching all the time and has an indulgent grandpa) is as satisfactory as the book. highly recommended. (Winner of the Children's Book Award in 1986.)