Marc Tolon Brown (born November 25, 1946) is an American author and illustrator of children's books. Brown writes as well as illustrates the Arthur book series and is best known for creating that series and its numerous spin-offs.
Early life and education
While growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania, with his three sisters, Brown was told many stories by his grandmother Thora. This inspired Brown to write stories of his own in the later years of his life. An example of this was the "borrowing" of his 7th grade algebra teacher's name Mr. Rathbun for the character Mr. Ratburn.[1] It was Grandma Thora who also fueled Brown's affinity for drawing, which was discovered at the age of six. While attending McDowell Senior High School, his art teacher, Nancy Bryan, introduced him to watercolors, which he now uses for the majority of his illustrations. Brown was inspired by other artists like Marc Chagall. Maurice Sendak, the author of the children's book Where the Wild Things Are, also influenced Brown in deciding on a career choice.
With the help of his Grandma Thora, Brown was able to major in graphic design at the Cleveland Institute of Art.[2] Even with the opposition from his colleagues, Brown continued with his dream to be a children's book illustrator. After graduating, Brown presented a sample of his drawings to the publishing company Houghton Mifflin, in Boston, Massachusetts, who offered him a USD$5,000 deal. This offer allowed Brown to confirm his decision of making professional illustrating his career. In 1969, he began part-time teaching at Garland Junior College in Boston and illustrated textbooks.[3]
Career
He had many different jobs before focusing solely on his writing career.[4] He was a truck driver, a short-order cook, a TV art director, and finally a college professor. Brown said his professorship was short-lived as the college went bankrupt one semester into his hiring.[5]
Brown published the first book in the Arthur series, Arthur's Nose, in 1976. The names of his two sons, Tolon Adam and Tucker Eliot, have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one.[citation needed] He also has a daughter named Eliza, whose name appears hidden in at least two books.[citation needed] He is a three-time Emmy award winner; the Arthur TV series adapted from the books was named number one on PBS for three years (1997, 2000, 2001). He also served as an executive producer on the show during seasons ten through twenty-five.[6]
In 2000, five audiobooks were recorded. Two more were released in 2007 and 2009. In 1996, the books were adapted into an animated television series airing on PBS. Aiming for an audience aged between four and eight years old, the show ran for nearly 25 years, officially ending on February 21, 2022.[7] In total, Brown has published over forty Arthur books as of 2011, seven audiobooks, and 2 beginner books.
Personal life
Brown married his first wife Stephanie Marini, a ballet dancer and college teacher, on September 1, 1968.[8] Together, they had two sons.[8] The marriage ended in divorce in 1977.[8] On September 11, 1983, he married his second wife, Laurene Krasny, a psychologist and writer.[8] Together, they have a daughter.[8]
2000 - Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books: Volume 1 - (Arthur's Mystery Envelope, Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club, and Arthur Makes the Team)
2000 - Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books: Volume 2 - (Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest, Arthur Accused!, and Locked in the Library)
2000 - Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books: Volume 3 - (Buster's Dino Dilemma, The Mystery of the Stolen Bike, and Arthur and the Lost Diary)
2000 - Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books: Volume 4 - (Who's in Love with Arthur?, Arthur Rocks with Binky, and Arthur and the Popularity Contest)
2000 - Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books: Volume 5 - (King Arthur, Francine, Believe It or Not, and Arthur and the Cootie-Catcher)
2007 - Arthur's Audio Favorites Volume 1 - (Arthur's Tooth, Arthur's Birthday, Arthur's Pet Business, Arthur's New Puppy, and Arthur Writes a Story)
2009 - Arthur's Audio Favorites Volume 2 - (Arthur's Family Vacation, Arthur Goes to Camp, Arthur Babysits, Arthur Meets the President, Arthur's Baby, and Arthur's Halloween)
Beginner books
1982 - Wings on Things
1983 - Spooky Riddles
1996 - Glasses for D.W.
1996 - Arthur's Reading Race
Chapter books
Arthur's Mystery Envelope
Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club
Arthur Makes the Team
Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest
Arthur Accused!
Locked in the Library!
Buster's Dino Dilemma
The Mystery of the Stolen Bike
Arthur and the Lost Diary
Who's in Love with Arthur?
Arthur Rocks with Binky
Arthur and the Popularity Test
King Arthur
Francine, Believe It or Not
Arthur and the Cootie-Catcher
Buster Makes the Grade
Muffy's Secret Admirer
Arthur and the Poetry Contest
Buster Baxter, Cat Saver
Arthur and the Big Blow-Up
Arthur and the Perfect Brother
Francine the Superstar
Buster's New Friend
Binky Rules
Arthur and the Double Dare
Arthur and the No-Brainer
Arthur and the Comet Crisis
Arthur and the 1,001 Dads
Arthur Plays the Blues
Arthur and the Bad-Luck Brain
Arthur Loses His Marbles
Arthur and the Nerves of Steal
Arthur and the World Record
Good Sports chapter books
Arthur and the Race to Read
Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher
Arthur and the Recess Rookie
Arthur and the Best Coach Ever
Arthur and the Goalie Ghost
Arthur and the Pen-Pal Playoff
Other books written and illustrated by Marc Brown
One, Two, Three: An Animal Counting Book
Marc Brown's Full House
Moose and Goose
Lenny and Lola
The Cloud Over Clarence
Pickle Things
Finger Rhymes
Witches Four
Your First Garden Book
Count to Ten
Marc Brown's Boat Book
The Silly Tail Book
Perfect Pigs: An Introduction to Manners (co-written with Stephen Krensky)
What Do You Call a Dumb Bunny?: And Other Rabbit Riddles, Games, Jokes, and Cartoons
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