Arduous Arthur
This engaging aardvark character sets about various new projects with wild enthusiasm. His excitement is catching but Arthur is inherently lazy . . . so it is, in fact, his many animal friends – inspired Arthur’s new passions – who actually do all the real hard work. This duality is reflected in the book format as the dreaming Arthur is shown from the initial viewpoint while the reality of how hard his fellow creatures work is revealed under the flaps.

A quiz at the end of four of the books (those cleverly crafted by renowned artist Eric Kincaid) encourages the reader to look again at the many amusing details in the humorous illustrations. The knight in shining armour is illustrated by Andy Everitt-Stewart and includes historical fun facts about medieval times under the flaps. Text is by Gill Davies and David Hughes. Published in the UK by Seasquirt.

Arthur dreams that he is a King-Arthur-style aardvark, supported by trusty troll-like squires.

Arthur creates a vegetable garden at the top of a steep hill behind his cottage.

Arthur celebrates Christmas. He shops, sings carols, decorates a tree and cooks a glorious feast.

Eco Freako helps Arthur to go green. He insulates his home, recycles water – and saves energy (we don’t mean just his own – he’s already good at that! )

With the help of his hard-working animal friends, Arthur creates a pond, full of wildlife.