The animated character Arthur Read, from the children’s television series Arthur, is depicted as an aardvark. This anthropomorphic representation gives Arthur animal characteristics while allowing him to function within a human-like society, attending school and interacting with family and friends.
The choice of an aardvark provides a unique and relatable foundation for the character. Aardvarks, while perhaps not the most commonly featured animals in children’s media, possess distinctive physical traits that contribute to Arthur’s memorable design. This contributes to the program’s overall appeal, promoting themes of acceptance and celebrating individual differences. Historically, the use of animals in storytelling has served to explore complex themes in an accessible manner for younger audiences.
