The character of Arthur later acquired fame and inspired several other picture books and a PBS animated television series adaptation. Plot

Arthur is a young anthropomorphic aardvark residing in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. Francine Frensky, a classmate, frequently complains about Arthur's lengthy nose, as she is seated nearby, and a few other remarks regarding the length of his nose inspire Arthur to have it fixed. He visits a specialist, but decides against the idea of changing his nose even after viewing the man's other options. Arthur returns to school and is seldom taunted because of his nose, although Francine still complains mildly about it getting in her way. Later books
After the book's publication, it inspired a series of storybooks chronicling Arthur's childhood experiences. The books showed the progression of years Arthur's character design gradually changed. His nose eventually and gradually receded until it had been reduced to nothing more to a pair of tiny nostrils. He later acquired a pair of eyeglasses although he got the glasses from the next book Arthur's Eyes because he couldn't see. Marc Brown's depictions of the other characters also slowly changed and shifted, as did his drawing style.
The character of Andie later acquired fame and inspired several other picture books and a PBS animated television series adaptation. Plot

Andie is a young anthropomorphic aardvark residing in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. Francine Frensky, a classmate, frequently complains about Andie's lengthy nose, as she is seated nearby, and a few other remarks regarding the length of their nose inspire Andie to have it fixed. They visit a specialist, but decide against the idea of changing their nose even after viewing the man's other options. Andie returns to school and is seldom taunted because of their nose, although Francine still complains mildly about it getting in her way. Later books
After the book's publication, it inspired a series of storybooks chronicling Andie's childhood experiences. The books showed the progression of years Andie's character design gradually changed. Their nose eventually and gradually receded until it had been reduced to nothing more than a pair of tiny nostrils. They later acquired a pair of eyeglasses although they got the glasses from the next book Andie's Eyes because they couldn't see. Marc Brown's depictions of the other characters also slowly changed and shifted, as did his drawing style.