Arthur's Really Helpful Bedtime Stories

Arthur, the endearing aardvark, helps modernize (and warp) 10 classic stories, including "The Emperor's New Clothes," "D.W. and the Three Bears," "The Frog Prince," and "Buster and the Beanstalk." Witty versions of these favorites, with appealingly believable characters, will keep young readers clamoring for more. Children who are already fans of Arthur and his buddies will recognize their idiosyncratic personalities, even through these twisted yet familiar tales in which Red Riding Hood's dad is a cook; the three little pigs use earthquake-resistant, reinforced I-beams rated to withstand a Force-3 hurricane; and the princess in "The Princess and the Pea" is a pretty tough chick. Marc Brown's charming illustrations add immeasurably to the humor of these stories. A perfect bedtime standby. (Great read aloud, ages 2 and older) --Emilie Coulter