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 Alice later acquired fame and inspired several other picture books and a PBS animated television series adaptation. Plot --

Alice is a young anthropomorphic aardvark residing in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. Francine Frensky, a classmate, frequently complains about Alice's lengthy nose, as Francine is seated nearby, and a few other remarks regarding the length of her nose inspire Alice to have it fixed. She visits a specialist, but decides against the idea of changing her nose even after viewing the man's other options. Alice returns to school and is seldom taunted because of her 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 Alice's childhood experiences. The books showed the progression of years as Alice's character design gradually changed. Her nose eventually and gradually receded until it had been reduced to nothing more than a pair of tiny nostrils. She later acquired a pair of eyeglasses, although she got the glasses from the next book Alice's Eyes because she could n't see. Marc Brown's depictions of the other characters also slowly changed and shifted, as did his drawing style.