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Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.

A video interview with

Marc Brown

Marc Brown

Marc Brown is the author and illustrator of Arthur, everyone’s favorite aardvark. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Marc Brown chats about his childhood, the Arthur television shows on PBS, and his friendship with the late Mr. Rogers.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online or to download it. You can also read the interview transcript or a short biography of Marc Brown, or see a selected list of his children’s books.

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For more information and options, please see the Podcasts & Videos section.

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  • Real life characters (:45)

    Watch this video clip to find out where Arthur's teacher, principal, and classmates really come from.

  • The night Arthur was born (:50)

    In this video clip, Marc Brown recalls the night his son asked for a special bedtime story.

  • Shirley and the mechanical squirrel (1:45)

    Brown recalls getting fired from a number of jobs before discovering what he really loves to do for a living.

  • Making mistakes and asking questions (:50)

    Marc Brown speculates as to why children relate so well to Arthur.

  • Arthur on TV (:50)

    Marc Brown turned down a number of offers to make an Arthur television series. In this video clip, Brown explains why he said yes to PBS.

  • Thirty drafts (1:00)

    Marc Brown explains to kids that he doesn't get things right the first time.

  • A great adventure (:30)

    When Marc Brown published his first Arthur book, he never could have imagined what would follow.

  • Head lice and peanut allergies (1:00)

    In this video clip, Marc Brown explains how he chooses the topics for his books.

§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.

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