Arthur and the Meanies
Jan Fearnley

Egmont UK / Trafalgar Square
2011 / ISBN: 9781405253802
Picture book, theme of acceptance (ages 3-8)
Amazon

Reviewed by Bob Walch

The idea of acceptance and not being a fair weather friend is an important concept for a child to learn. In this picture book Jan Fearnly creates a humorous tale to show how friends should and should not behave.

Arthur is an elephant who would like to play with the other animals but most of them make up excuses why he can’t join them. He’s too big or he’ll step on them or some other poor reason is given for keeping the elephant at arm’s distance. Only a friendly duck and frog accept Arthur as he is and invite him to play with them.

Then a big storm comes along and all the animals ask Arthur to provide them with shelter. They want to hide beneath his large body until the rain stops. Of course he agrees, because afterwards Arthur thinks these fair weather friends will then let him join in their games.

The storm blows over and with its departure all the animals but the frog and duck depart, leaving Arthur behind. Once again he is excluded! Now, Arthur decides to act, but I won’t tell you what happens next. He does, though, let those who have taken advantage of him know how he feels!

This is an excellent story to launch a discussion of what constitutes a real friend and why friendship should not be “conditional”. Enjoy reading this story with your child and then take the opportunity to talk about how Arthur must feel and how your son or daughter might feel if someone behaved in this manner to him or her.