Arthur's teacher moves in

by Marc Brown

Arthur is overwhelmed with dread when he hears that his teacher is coming to stay at his house. But soon, Arthur discovers that Mr. Ratburn is just like everyone else. Arthur thinks his problems are over, but when he gets an A on his test his friends start calling him a teacher's pet. In the end, Arthur and Mr. Ratburn set the record straight. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, School, Animals, Family, Teachers

32 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Anthony]

Arthur is shocked to learn that his teacher Mr. Ratburn, whose roof fell in after a snow storm, will be living with Arthur and his family. Arthur learns more about his teacher than he realized, but is shunned by his friends at school as being the teacher's pet.

[Rose Rosetree]

Oboy, this picture book is adapted from the "Arthur" TV show.

Usually, in my experience, I don't like such books. I fear that adult readers and children alike consider books a poor substitute for the "Medium is the Message" excitement of a TV show, kind of like a failed TV show because it's only a book.

Side Note: You might enjoy my Goodreads review of Marshall McLuhan's related book, "Understanding Media."

Anyway I'll put that aside now, having shared where I'm coming from when starting this book, sharing in a spirit of honesty. Fact is, every time I open a fresh book, for young children, I also open up my heart and am fully prepared for a wonderful adventure. Here we go.

ARTHUR'S WORRIES ABOUT SHARING HIS HOME FOR A WHILE with THE TEACHER?

Poignant and very real to me. To quote Arthur, talking to his friend Buster:

My teacher in my house, walking on my carpet, eating from my spoons and touching my stuff.

So well put. So kid-ly put!

OKAY, I LOLed AT THE POSTERS THAT ARTHUR PUT UP IN HIS BEDROOM

Finally the teacher arrives. And his name is "Mr. Ratbite." Hahaha.

Whew -- turns out his name isn't quite that bad, it's Mr. Ratburn.

Oh, this book is incredibly funny, especially all the ways that D.W. gets the teacher's name wrong!

Funny ending, too....

ALTOGETHER, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

Fact is, I really enjoyed this book. My only objection is how it had far too many references to characters in the book watching television. Isn't there already far too much screen time in the lives of our children today?

Kid's books can be a TV-free zone. I believe they're better that way.

Would any of you Goodreaders who are parents... would any of you like to learn how to protect today's children and their ability to read-and-think properly? Then I would suggest a book? A book, not a TV show.

Please, please, please read certain chapters in "Reader, Come Home" by Marianne Wolf. The rest of the chapters are about adults, and they made a life-changing difference to me. Just saying.

[Maite Herrera]

When Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn, home ceiling collapses, Arthur’s parents offer for him to stay at their home. Arthur dislikes the idea because he believes that it would be an awkward experience. However during Mr. Ratburn’s stay, Arthur enjoys his company. They eat cake and Mr. Ratburn shows him cool tricks, and watch their favorite show. At the end of the book, Arthur realizes that him and his teacher are more alike than different.

The theme of "Arthur's Teacher Moves In" is to not judge others. Arthur believed that having his teacher at his house would be weird, but in the end he learned that his teacher was a regular person who likes cartoons and magic tricks.

When I read this book, I thought about all the times in elementary school where I would watch the Arthur show and learn about different topics such as: bullying, being yourself, and cultures. I loved this book because it was an easy and fun read and brought sweet memories. I felt happy that Arthur gave Mr. Ratburn a chance which allowed him to realize that his teacher was a pretty cool guy.

I would recommend this book because it teaches children to get to know people and not judge them based on their looks, personality, or other factors. This book also teaches children to help others in times of need. This book helps children realize that when helping others in times of need, they will receive more benefits than consequences.

[Cara]

When Mr. Ratburn moves in after his house is damaged, Arthur freaks out. He wants to impress his teacher, feeling like he can't be himself, while his friends make fun of him.
Over time, Arthur finds out that Mr. Ratburn is pretty cool. When their dynamic changes at school, his friends grow resentful. Arthur got an A on a test that he studied hard for, but his friends think Ratburn just gave him the grade because he's staying at Arthur's house.
Instead of flunking Arthur as Arthur wanted so his friends knew that Ratburn wasn't playing favorites, he decides to spend a few days in each of their homes while his house gets fixed. Arthur gets the last laugh.

[Danielle T]

Fascinated because both of the ones we read tonight were published after the TV show started and in fact have "Adapted from a teleplay by Joe Fallon" on their title pages! Given it ran for 25 years, I don't blame Marc for adapting episodes back to books! This book is from 2000, so characters have irises. I think it's an ok adaptation but it's been so long I don't recall if I saw the original episode (likely, as I was in the age demographic). The takeaway of "teachers don't live at school and are actually real people" is still good, as of the end of book kicker.

[Jennifer]

Excellent story where Arthur’s teacher moves in while his house is being fixed. The other kids start to tease Arthur. My kid hated that part. Comic relief of Arthur’s sister getting teacher’s name wrong. Wonderful teacher finds ways to make Arthur comfortable and then to stop having the other kids tease Arthur.

[J.B. Mathias]

Most kids picture books try to center around a specific lesson typical for young children...stuff like brushing their teeth, taking care of a pet, sharing etc. This one seems weirdly specific, having your elementary school teacher move into your house breifly isn't a universal experience. That being said the art is still good.

[Marta Veenhof]

Humorous read about Mr. Ratburn moving in with Arthur. He turns into the teacher's pet at school and no one wants to hang out with him.

[K Morlando]

Mr. Ratburn moves into Arthur's house temporarily but he thinks it is a terrible idea.

[Kylie Harris]

Fun school related book for children

[Huda Akwyed]

How are you feeling if your teacher move to live in your house and if you get full mark in his subject!!! Really you are in the triple.

[Alysia]

One of my favorite

[Rebekah]

A great book about kindness

[Brian Baker]

So cute! I love that DW things Arthur’s teacher lives at the school. So many students think that!

[KaitandMaddie]

This one was quite funny, especially the ending.

[GothicGiggleCiCi]

Another questionable decision by Jane and David. 🤨

[Amy]

Arthur assumed that Mr. Ratburn was mean because he was his teacher. However, when Mr. Ratburn stays the night at Arthur's house while his roof is being fixed, Arthur learns that Mr. Ratburn is just like everyone else. This is a good book to use to teach students about not judging others until you get to know them.

[Rachel]

This book is a good book to teach about peer pressure and judging others. Arthur gets teased for having his teacher stay at his house-by the end he realizes his teacher is a person who enjoys basic things like him.

[Sophia Martin]

Mr. Ratburn is moving in with Arthur! How terrible! Living with your teacher!? Who knew teachers had lives outside of school. Could Mr. Ratburn actually be a normal animal. Maybe him moving in won't be so bad at all. Arthur is considerin gthese things while taking slack from his friends.

[Meg]

The storyline here is completely implausible (wouldn't Mr. Ratburn stay with a colleague or at a hotel before staying with a student's family?). But I can't help myself, I love Marc Brown's illustrations, and his storylines always strike a chord with kids.

[Rosa Cline]

This was a fun Arthur book. The children realize that teachers don't live at school and they can be 'human' too. BUT Arthur makes the best on a test and the class start calling him teacher's pet when Mr. Ratburn comes to stay at his house when his house is being fixed.

[Olivia]

One of the sillier books in the Arthur series. Mr. Ratburn's character is developed in this book, when he comes to live with the Read family after his roof collapses. There is also a plot line about how to deal with being called a teachers pet.

[jenna Hudrlik]

typical arthur book - caroline loves them i think they are boring - so i'll give it 3 stars as an average of our 2 scores.

[Cana]

Mommy says: Hmm. Mr. Ratburn isn't so bad after all. We love Arthur books.

[Cws]

JEAR2-Bro

[Amber White]

just imagine if your teacher stayed at your house

[Amanda]

Another Marc Brown author study book...again, a little boring.

[Tania]

Teachers aren't so bad afterall, Arthur. Teaches kids that teachers aren't scary.

[Theresa]

what do you do when your teacher comes to live with you

[Stephanie]

Love this one!