Arthur's New Power

Arthur Crocodile

by Russell Hoban, Byron Barton (Illustrator)

The crocodile family is having problems with finding enough electricity for all their gadgets.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

38 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Russell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eco-conscious crocs in the making. Arthur Crocodile's family uses a lot of wattage in their house, running televisions, electric toothbrushes, blenders, electric guitar amps and more. They blow so many fuses that Father Crocodile blows his fuse and declares a moratorium on plugging in. Arthur gets creative at the library and learns how to make his own power, and how satisfying not plugging in can be. Very funny, very clever, and a wonderful introduction to the idea of an "energy crisis", in a very local manner. Some may pooh-pooh some of the outdated devices that the Crocodile family uses (the Slimmo Electronic Wonder-Massage belt reminds me of those vibrating pads they're passing off as exercise devices these days), but savvy children will understand that before their smaller, more advanced devices, technology was a bit different, but ate up energy all the same.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this author must have had some crazy insight, back in 1978 when he wrote this book, on how plugged in our lives would become. Crazy!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard to believe this "topical" junk was written by the same person who did the brilliant Frances books. I guess the 1970s crisis sapped creative energy as well.