Marc Brown at Hicklebee's

If you don't know who Marc Brown is you probably have not had a kid or been a kid or been around kids in the last 35 years. Marc Brown is the author and illustrator of the Arthur books which have been made into a long running TV show on PBS. And because I like author mash ups, especially when they involve Neil Gaiman, here is an episode of Arthur in which Neil Gaiman makes a guest appearance and we hear the line "Neil Gaiman? What are you doing in my falafel?"

So anyway! Marc Brown has written a new Arthur book - the first in 10 years! - called Arthur Turns Green. You've probably already guessed it has an environmental message. Hicklebee's was packed to the rafters with kids of all ages eager to meet such a beloved author. He drew Arthur twice, the original long nosed version and the newer rounded nose with glasses version. He talked about how he was inspired to give Arthur glasses when one day, while visiting a school, he saw a boy with lose shoe laces dash into the bathroom. After a bit of screaming, the boy exited the bathroom, which he then realized was actually the girls bathroom. Embarrassed, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his glasses, put them on, and then went, correctly, into the boys bathroom. He also drew a picture of D.W. and their baby sister, Kate. He then read Arthur Turns Green to an attentive audience, although, as one child pointed out, he didn't even have to look at the words on the page to read the book!

Naturally, I bought the book for our library and took a picture with Mr. Brown, which will be added to my author shrine as soon I get it in the mail.