Marc Brown > Quotes

“Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card.”
― Marc Brown

“Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero!”
― Marc Brown

“Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. You'll catch up soon enough.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur Chapter Books, Nos. 1-3

“Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card!”
― Marc Brown

“Having fun is easy when you have a library cards!”
― Marc Brown

“Look,” cried Buster. “Arthur just went into the witch’s house!”
“She’ll probably put Arthur and D.W. into her oven, just like Hansel and Gretel,” said Sue Ellen.
“Maybe she’s using them for weird scientific experiments,” said the Brain.
“I bet she locked them in the cellar to starve,” said Buster.
“Maybe we should follow him,” said Francine.
“Maybe we should call the police,” said Muffy.
Everyone was too scared to move.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Halloween

“When it came time to go trick-or-treating Buster knew which houses to skip.
“Don’t go there,” he said. “They only give apples.”
“Gross,” said Francine.
“And don’t go to the big house on the corner,” said Buster. “That’s the witch’s house.”
“My brother saw someone go in there last Halloween and he never came out.”
Arthur tried not to look afraid.
Arthur and his sister had trouble keeping up with the others.
First D.W. got her tail caught.
Then her bag broke.
“You’re such a pain in the neck,” said Arthur.
“D.W. must be short for Dim Wit.”
But D.W. didn’t answer.
Arthur turned around just in time to see her disappear into the witch’s house.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Halloween

“Arthur finished his doughnut as Mrs. Tibble opened the door and turned on the porch light. She gave Arthur and D.W. a big hug.
“See you Saturday to rake leaves,” said Arthur.
“You’re still alive!” said Francine.
“I can’t believe you went in there alone,” said the Brain.
“You’re so brave,” said Sue Ellen.
“What’s in the bag?” asked Buster.
“Probably eyeballs, hearts and brains!” said Francine.
“It’s easy to find out,” said Arthur. “Just close your eyes and reach in unless you’re too scared.”
“We’ve been to every house now. Can we take the shortcut home through the cemetery?” asked D.W.
“The cemetery! On Halloween! Are you guys crazy?” asked Francine.
“Follow me,” said Arthur as he marched ahead. “The cemetery is a great place. People are just dying to get in.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Halloween

“Dear Mom and Dad,
I desided not to wait for you to come and get me.
I think I can remember how to get home.
Love, Arthur.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur Goes to Camp

“We have the whole pool to ourselves,” said Arthur.
“It’s a good thing, too,” said D.W. “Our bathtub is bigger than this!”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Family Vacation

“Look at those guys," said Buster.
"They're going to be in great shape for our scavenger hunt. No wonder they always win!"
"That's no camp--that's a zoo," said Arthur.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur Goes to Camp

“Well, we’re all packed,” Father said the next morning. “Where’s Arthur?”
“He’s on the phone with Buster,” said Mother.
“For the hundredth time,” D.W. added.
“Before we leave,” said Father, “does anyone need to use the bathroom?”
“This is your last chance,” said Mother.
“Don’t look at me!” said D.W.

“On our way at last,” Mother smiled. “A whole week of no cooking!”
“And no dishes,” said Father.
“A whole week without my best friend in the whole wide world,” moaned Arthur.
“Once you’re at the beach, you’ll feel better,” Father said.
“Are we there yet?” asked D.W. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Family Vacation

“No beach today!” D.W. announced the next morning.
“I had a dream about Buster,” said Arthur.
“Why don’t you write him a postcard?” Mother suggested.
“Why don’t we all write postcards?” said Father.
“But what do we write about?” said D.W. “We haven’t done anything yet!”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Family Vacation

“Arthur’s class was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
Mr. Ratburn was about to announce the director for the Thanksgiving play, The Big Turkey Hunt.
Arthur chewed his pencil.
“I hope he picks me,” whispered Francine.
They all held their breath.
“I’ve chosen Arthur to direct the play,” said Mr. Ratburn.
He handed Arthur the script.
“Me? The director?” said Arthur.
“Oh, no,” grumbled Francine. “This is going to be a disaster.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“The next morning, Francine, Muffy, and Buster stood before Arthur. They weren’t taking any chances.
“Do we have a turkey?” they asked.
Arthur just smiled.

The whole school filed into the auditorium.
“OOOoo!” said the kids when the lights went out.
“Shhhh!” said the teachers as the curtain went up.

“In 1620, we sailed to America on the Mayflower,” recited Buster, proudly.
“Phew!” said Arthur.
The play continued smoothly. Muffy didn’t drop the cranberries. The Brain had his costume on correctly. Sue Ellen said her lines in a loud, clear voice. And Francine had even taken off her movie-star glasses. Then it came time for Francine’s big speech.
She crossed her fingers and began. “When the Indians and Pilgrims finally found a turkey, there was great rejoicing. Today, when we think of Thanksgiving, we think of turkey.”
There was a lot of fumbling behind the curtain. Arthur took a deep breath.
He walked onstage.
As soon as he did, the audience began to laugh.
Arthur turned bright red. This was going to be even worse than he had thought it would be.
“The turkey,” Arthur began, “is a symbol, a symbol of…of…”
“Of togetherness and Thanksgiving!” said a chorus of voices behind him.
Arthur turned around and smiled.
“I guess Mom was right. The world is full of turkeys! Okay, turkeys, all together now. Let’s hear that last line, loud and clear.”
“Happy Thanksgiving!”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“I’ll really miss you at Camp Meadowcroak this year, Arthur,” Buster said.
“I wish I didn’t have to go on vacation with my family,” said Arthur. “There’ll be nothing to do and no one to do it with.”
“You’ll have D.W.,” Buster said, smiling. “For a whole week.”
“Don’t remind me,” said Arthur.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Family Vacation

“Let’s talk turkey,” said Arthur over the PA system at school. “The best part in the Thanksgiving play is still open. If you’re interested, please come to the office at once.”
No one came to the office.

In fact, the principal left the office, laughing.
Arthur put posters in the cafeteria. He placed ads in the school paper. Nothing worked.

Arthur had other problems, too.
Muffy complained about everything. “I should be narrator; my parents are paying for the cast party!” she whined.
Francine would not take off her movie-star glasses. “They’re good luck,” she explained, but she was having a hard time seeing what she was doing.
Buster couldn’t remember his lines. “In 1620,” he recited, “we sailed to America on the cauliflower.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“The rehearsals went from bad to worse.
“When the Pilgrims and Indians decided to celebrate their friendship,” said Francine, “they began to hunt for a turkey.”
“We cooked beans and pumpkin pies,” whispered Sue Ellen. “And the Pilgrim men went off to hunt for a turkey.”
“We made corn bread and picked cranberries,” said Muffy. “Oops! And the Indian braves went on their own turkey hunt.”
Then it was time for Francine to present the turkey. “When the Indians and Pilgrims finally found a turkey,” she began, “there was great rejoicing. Today when we think of Thanksgiving, we think of turkey.” She glared at Arthur.
“Don’t worry,” Arthur promised. “I told you I’d find a turkey in time.”

As a last resort Arthur decided to rent a turkey. But that wasn’t such a good idea.
“If you don’t get a turkey by tomorrow’s performance,” said Francine, “I quit.”
Everyone agreed. No turkey--no play.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“Arthur thought Francine would make a good turkey.
“Never!” said Francine. “I want to be the narrator. Besides, I have the loudest voice.”
No doubt about that. Francine would be the narrator.

Arthur showed Muffy a drawing of the turkey costume.
“Lots of feathers,” said Arthur. “It’s a very glamorous role.”
“Yuk! Vomitrocious!” squealed Muffy. “I should be the Indian princess. I have real braids.”

“Brain, I’ve saved the most intelligent part for you,” explained Arthur.
“No way will I be the turkey,” answered the Brain. “I’ll be the Indian chief.”

“Buster, you’re my best friend,” began Arthur. “The part is real easy. Only one line, and it’s the best in the play.”
“I want to be Governor Bradford,” said Buster.

Arthur was so desperate that he asked Binky Barnes. “The turkey is a strong and powerful animal,” argued Arthuer.
“Yeah, without saying a word it can make you look like a fool in front of the entire school,” said Binky.
The play was only six days away. Where would Arthur find a turkey?”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“So that's it! Camp Horsewater!" whispered Buster. "They've been trying to scare us all along."
"Don't worry, we'll fix them tomorrow at the scavenger hunt," said the Brain.
"I've got a plan. But we'll need the girls' help."
Arthur had a plan, too.
He decided to run away.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur Goes to Camp

“The play was only six days away. Where would Arthur find a turkey?

Arthur knew he could count on his family.
“I’d love to be the turkey,” said his father. “But I have a dentist appointment that I don’t want to miss.”

“The world is full of turkeys,” joked his mother. “You should be able to find one.”

“I wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit!” said his sister, D.W.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving

“Arthur went home to think. He thought about turkeys while he did arithmetic.
He thought about turkeys while he played the piano.
And he thought about turkeys while he and D.W. did the dishes.
“Boy,” said D.W. “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”

The next morning, Francine, Muffy, and Buster stood before Arthur. They weren’t taking any chances.
“Do we have a turkey?” they asked.
Arthur just smiled.”
― Marc Brown, Arthur's Thanksgiving