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Arthur Adventure Series
Arturo Tiene Varicela / Arthur's Chicken Pox
Arthur is inconsolable when an outbreak of the chicken pox prevents him from going to the circus, but his little sister, D.W., is so jealous of the attention that Arthur receives that she paints spots on herself. Original.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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397 people want to read
About the author
Marc Brown
553 books385 followersMarc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 28, 2014
This is the first book that Eleanor read to me. Well, maybe not... but it's the first book that she read that we're reviewing. (I think...) It's definitely the longest book she's read thus far. It had words like, "suddenly" and "important" and "patient." Those are some tough words for someone who isn't yet in second grade, and she nailed them.
Eleanor suggested that since she read the book to me, she should ask the questions, and I should give the responses. ...I'm game. I'll still be the typist. Go ahead Eleanor, ask away:
Eleanor: How many stars would you like to give the book?
Dad: Hmmmmm... 4. Four stars, what do you think?
Eleanor: I think that's ok.
Gwennie (in the background): I wanted 5 stars.
Eleanor: Me too. Daddy, me and Gwennie disagree completely, but you can put 4 stars down since this is your review.
Dad: I was going back and forth between 3, 4, and 5 to tell you the truth.
Eleanor: Oh.
Dad: Should I bump it up to 5?
Eleanor: Sure, do whatever you want.
Dad: Ok. It's got 5 stars now.
Eleanor: Ok. What was your favorite part of the book?
Gwen: I thought you said it was going to have 4 stars...
Dad: Gwen, you need to pay attention, I said I'm changing the review based on your recommendation. You guys said it deserved 5 stars, so I'm giving it 5 stars.
El: What was your favorite part of the book?
Dad: I liked the karmic justice.
El: That's cool. I would like something more kiddish, but you can put that in.
Dad: I also liked the crazy straw. And I liked when D.W. pretended to get chicken-pox.
El: How come? Hey dad, you and me sort of share a favorite part.
Dad: Oh yeah, what's that?
El: I like it when Arthur has all the fun - like when he had the crazy straw. It's fun to listen to when kids get to have all the fun. And when D.W. was naughty - that stuff makes books interesting. The worse kids are, the more interesting.
Dad: Yeah, I thought the part with D.W. was really funny. Although, I don't think Arthur got to have ALL the fun, since he had chicken pox. That's just what D.W. thought too. And let me tell you, chicken pox aren't really fun at all.
El: Yeah, D.W. thought it was fun: he got to drink out of a crazy straw, he got to get a back rub, he got to watch TV all day and take a soothing bath.
Dad: I guess D.W. learned in the end that chicken pox aren't that much fun after all, huh?
Gwennie: Is this review over?
Dad: Well, that depends on Eleanor. She can ask as many questions as she wants.
Eleanor: I don't think there are any more questions to ask, Dad.
Dad: You could ask if I'd recommend this book to anybody. ...If I think other people would like to read the book. I always try to end your reviews that way.
El: OH! Would you recommend this book to anybody?
Gwen is in the background screaming out the song, "Do Your Ears Hang Low" into Eleanor's recorder. She wanted to record this momentous interview. ...She records almost everything... you have to be on your guard in this house...
El: Stop shouting, Gwennie. Please, stop shouting.
Gwennie proceeds to sing much more quietly... And El is now singing along quietly as well.
Dad: Yeah. I think I would. I like all the Arthur stuff. Although, usually I see him more on TV... the book was nice.
Gwen has moved on to songs from Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella." She's singing, "Impossible."
El: I liked it even more than the TV shows, because I could really know what was happening. Daddy, thank you for doing this interview. May we read the review now?
Eleanor suggested that since she read the book to me, she should ask the questions, and I should give the responses. ...I'm game. I'll still be the typist. Go ahead Eleanor, ask away:
Eleanor: How many stars would you like to give the book?
Dad: Hmmmmm... 4. Four stars, what do you think?
Eleanor: I think that's ok.
Gwennie (in the background): I wanted 5 stars.
Eleanor: Me too. Daddy, me and Gwennie disagree completely, but you can put 4 stars down since this is your review.
Dad: I was going back and forth between 3, 4, and 5 to tell you the truth.
Eleanor: Oh.
Dad: Should I bump it up to 5?
Eleanor: Sure, do whatever you want.
Dad: Ok. It's got 5 stars now.
Eleanor: Ok. What was your favorite part of the book?
Gwen: I thought you said it was going to have 4 stars...
Dad: Gwen, you need to pay attention, I said I'm changing the review based on your recommendation. You guys said it deserved 5 stars, so I'm giving it 5 stars.
El: What was your favorite part of the book?
Dad: I liked the karmic justice.
El: That's cool. I would like something more kiddish, but you can put that in.
Dad: I also liked the crazy straw. And I liked when D.W. pretended to get chicken-pox.
El: How come? Hey dad, you and me sort of share a favorite part.
Dad: Oh yeah, what's that?
El: I like it when Arthur has all the fun - like when he had the crazy straw. It's fun to listen to when kids get to have all the fun. And when D.W. was naughty - that stuff makes books interesting. The worse kids are, the more interesting.
Dad: Yeah, I thought the part with D.W. was really funny. Although, I don't think Arthur got to have ALL the fun, since he had chicken pox. That's just what D.W. thought too. And let me tell you, chicken pox aren't really fun at all.
El: Yeah, D.W. thought it was fun: he got to drink out of a crazy straw, he got to get a back rub, he got to watch TV all day and take a soothing bath.
Dad: I guess D.W. learned in the end that chicken pox aren't that much fun after all, huh?
Gwennie: Is this review over?
Dad: Well, that depends on Eleanor. She can ask as many questions as she wants.
Eleanor: I don't think there are any more questions to ask, Dad.
Dad: You could ask if I'd recommend this book to anybody. ...If I think other people would like to read the book. I always try to end your reviews that way.
El: OH! Would you recommend this book to anybody?
Gwen is in the background screaming out the song, "Do Your Ears Hang Low" into Eleanor's recorder. She wanted to record this momentous interview. ...She records almost everything... you have to be on your guard in this house...
El: Stop shouting, Gwennie. Please, stop shouting.
Gwennie proceeds to sing much more quietly... And El is now singing along quietly as well.
Dad: Yeah. I think I would. I like all the Arthur stuff. Although, usually I see him more on TV... the book was nice.
Gwen has moved on to songs from Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella." She's singing, "Impossible."
El: I liked it even more than the TV shows, because I could really know what was happening. Daddy, thank you for doing this interview. May we read the review now?
July 26, 2024
Jack received this book secondhand from family. I was excited to read it because I liked the Arthur show as a kid.
Jack had been “reading” the book himself for days. He liked that it is a bigger board book. Anyway, he finally asked me to read it before bed and sat there and listened to the whole thing. He seemed to enjoy D.W.’s antics. He asked me to read it a second time, but I think that was mostly to avoid going to bed.
Jack had been “reading” the book himself for days. He liked that it is a bigger board book. Anyway, he finally asked me to read it before bed and sat there and listened to the whole thing. He seemed to enjoy D.W.’s antics. He asked me to read it a second time, but I think that was mostly to avoid going to bed.
December 11, 2022
Nostalgic cartoon before it became political. These are the Arthur stories that I remember. Arthur gets the Chicken Pox, very relatable when I was in pre-k.
May 13, 2010
“Arthur’s Chicken Pox” is another classic tale from Marc Brown’s famous “Arthur” series and it is about how Arthur catches a bad case of the chicken pox before he is able to go to the circus. “Arthur’s Chicken Pox” is a great story for children who also suffered from the chicken pox and will be an instant classic for children who are fans of the “Arthur” series.
Marc Brown’s story about how Arthur got a bad case of chicken pox strongly relates to any child who had the bad case of chicken pox and they worry about whether or not they will make it to their favorite places. Marc Brown’s illustrations are once again creative as all the characters are animals with human bodies and the images that stood out the most were the images of Arthur looking shocked that he has caught the chicken pox and helps every child relate to the shock they have whenever they first caught the chicken pox.
“Arthur’s Chicken Pox” is a great book for children who also suffer from the chicken pox and would help children learn how to deal with the situation. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate about the content of this book.
Marc Brown’s story about how Arthur got a bad case of chicken pox strongly relates to any child who had the bad case of chicken pox and they worry about whether or not they will make it to their favorite places. Marc Brown’s illustrations are once again creative as all the characters are animals with human bodies and the images that stood out the most were the images of Arthur looking shocked that he has caught the chicken pox and helps every child relate to the shock they have whenever they first caught the chicken pox.
“Arthur’s Chicken Pox” is a great book for children who also suffer from the chicken pox and would help children learn how to deal with the situation. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate about the content of this book.
November 7, 2016
Arthur's family is getting excited to go see the circus that will be in town in a week. But all of a sudden Arthur isn't feeling well...to his sister DW he looks just fine. And she can't understand why he's getting special attention; until the next day and he's covered in red spots. Grandma Thora comes to visit to help with Arthur. DW is jealous and tries her hardest to get Grandma's attention too. But the one thing that DW does like is teasing Arthur that he won't be able to go to the circus so she calls her friend to give the ticket to her. BUT the morning of the circus Arthur is feeling well again but DW has them now!
July 31, 2013
During elementary school I was on a mission to read every Arthur book I could get my hands on.
I rated every book that I read during childhood 5 stars.
Why? Well because that was a time in my life when I loved every single thing I read. And because they bring back fond memories. Ah, the joys of being young!
I rated every book that I read during childhood 5 stars.
Why? Well because that was a time in my life when I loved every single thing I read. And because they bring back fond memories. Ah, the joys of being young!
September 19, 2020
I Once had Chicken Pox when I was Young so I can Sympathize with Arthur's Plight.
November 28, 2018
I know many of my reviews have said that these are my favorite books, which they are! This is not a lie, and I promise I am not lying when I say this is another childhood favorite of mine, and recently read it to some of my young cousins. Arthur’s chicken pox was one of the stories that I would ask my grandma to read me over and over again. I read it when I was sick because Arthur is sick too, and I read it before I had to take a nap. This cute little picture book takes Arthur through a story of getting the chickenpox and having to miss out on a family trip to the circus! Arthur is so excited for the circus and then has to leave. The story ends up that Arthur gets to go after all while little sister D.W. has to stay home with the Pox! This sweet story is a fun little story about what it is like to be sick, and sick with the chickenpox, while having a jealous sister! This sibling rivalry makes the story that much better!
May 18, 2019
I remember having chicken pox, you are incredibly miserable during, my only complaint is that Arthur didn't react as badly to his spots as I know I, and plenty of my classmates, did.
Arthur catches the 'pox a week before the big family trip to the circus. During his week where he's trying to get better, with everyone's help; mom's chicken soup, dad's stickers and cough drops, grandma's soothing bath and tea makes D.W. a little jealous. It looks like Arthur is getting special treatment. She wants to get back rubs and juice in the tub too, so she fakes it, unfortunately karma had a way of catching up to the best of us.
Arthur catches the 'pox a week before the big family trip to the circus. During his week where he's trying to get better, with everyone's help; mom's chicken soup, dad's stickers and cough drops, grandma's soothing bath and tea makes D.W. a little jealous. It looks like Arthur is getting special treatment. She wants to get back rubs and juice in the tub too, so she fakes it, unfortunately karma had a way of catching up to the best of us.
June 28, 2022
I really liked this story and the art in this book felt especially nice for an arthur book as it had a lot of really good backgrounds scenes that as an artist myself I very much appreciated! I think it’s also the most true to the Arthur tv episode I’ve seen this far even though in to assume this book came out first. The only thing the Arthur tv episode did better was it had a weird hallucination sequence while Arthur’s is painting about the virus to show basically a fever dream to imply he’s sick at school where as here he just feels sick at lunch without it being shown. Overall great story and another book I would recommend any Arthur fan to pick up if they find while thrifting!
August 16, 2018
Well, this is a really good story about not being upset if getting sick keeps you from doing things you want to do. D. W. gets really upset because Grandma is doing all of these nice things for Arthur while he has chicken pox, but then... well, you'll just have to see. But I don't know how much this book is relevant for kids these days. We have a chicken pox vaccination, so they may not have even really heard of it!
November 27, 2017
My childhood favorite. A book we can all relate to because we've all been really sick at some point. I would use this when someone has been really sick and also as a great discussion on what it is like to be sick and what things we do to make ourselves feel better. One thing about Arthur books, is their illustrations put you in the book.
February 27, 2023
D.W. says if Arthur is good and doesn't scratch, she'll try to get him a balloon at the end. She then starts to feel a little left out of all the attention he seems to get until she fakes the chicken pox... in the end, it turns out she actually got it.. and Arthur tells her if she's good, he'll try to get her a balloon
August 4, 2025
Arthur is very nostalgic for me as I loved the show growing up as a kid. Now that I’m a mom of daughters I sometimes take issue with the less-than-desirable sibling dynamics between Arthur and DW. Even so, we love this one. Lots to talk about in terms of honesty, empathy, motives, and kindness. My daughter is just 4 and 1/2 and loves this book.
May 13, 2017
3* art
3* story
3* story
June 12, 2020
You won’t find social-distancing in this dated book, but you will find a good family dynamic even with a little sibling rivalry.
August 9, 2021
Arthur wants to go to the circus, but he gets chicken pox. D.W. really picks on him, but things turn out a little different than they all expected.
February 3, 2022
Nice story but I thought the parents were irresponsible letting D.W. hang out with Arthur while he was sick and letting him go out to eat with his family when he wasn't fully recovered.
March 24, 2022
This book was super nostalgic for me, I love it! It's a sweet story with great, detailed illustrations.
July 28, 2022
Another favorite! Super relatable!
August 16, 2022
Another cute Arthur Adventure.
February 14, 2023
I remember checking out these Arthur books out all the time at my school library. I loved them so!
May 7, 2023
As usual great artwork, which is what I think really made these stories for kids that and seeing DW get clowned.
March 21, 2024
So nostalgic and perfect and cozy I possibly remember this one best 💕
May 1, 2008
Have you ever been sick and needed comfort but would take the comfort easily you must give up a fight.i experienced it before when I was about seven years old.My grandma wanted to read a book for me called arthur chicken pox which was a great book but I wouldn't let her because I was being too much of a brat.In this essay you will read what I thought about arthur book and what leason it took me.
First let me talk about what I thought of the book.When I was seven my mom and dad use to read me fary tale book about princess and prince. One day when my grandma bought in a book called arthur chicken pox I read arthur books ever since I still read them to this day.I wasn't never use to reading book like this so when I read it I thought it was great.This book was one of my favorites my mom said she couldn't keep it out of my hands at the time when my grandma brought me the book I had the chicken pox so I thought the character in the story really related to me.At the same time when I was reading this wonderful book I was hurtig another person feelings and that was my grandma.
My grandma came and brought me the book when she was looking after me while my mother was at work.My Grandma came in and ask me If I wanted her to read the book to me.I was at the age when I was really trying to be a big kid so I said no I can handle it myself I'm not a kid.My grandma responed and said have it your way Ms. Porsha.So I sat down and I read the book and I notice that when arthur grandma was comforting him he let her and I wouldn't let my grandma read to me.My grandma came into the room and she picked up the glass to take it to the kitchen because I was done and I shocked her and said Grandma where you going you suppose to read this book to me.My grandma smiled and I can see it made her really happy.Then my grandma sat down and read me the story and we both ended the book by going to sleep.
With this book I learned a lesson to never be mean when someone is trying to help.Now that I talked about what I thought of the book and what lesson I learned you tell me what do you think.
First let me talk about what I thought of the book.When I was seven my mom and dad use to read me fary tale book about princess and prince. One day when my grandma bought in a book called arthur chicken pox I read arthur books ever since I still read them to this day.I wasn't never use to reading book like this so when I read it I thought it was great.This book was one of my favorites my mom said she couldn't keep it out of my hands at the time when my grandma brought me the book I had the chicken pox so I thought the character in the story really related to me.At the same time when I was reading this wonderful book I was hurtig another person feelings and that was my grandma.
My grandma came and brought me the book when she was looking after me while my mother was at work.My Grandma came in and ask me If I wanted her to read the book to me.I was at the age when I was really trying to be a big kid so I said no I can handle it myself I'm not a kid.My grandma responed and said have it your way Ms. Porsha.So I sat down and I read the book and I notice that when arthur grandma was comforting him he let her and I wouldn't let my grandma read to me.My grandma came into the room and she picked up the glass to take it to the kitchen because I was done and I shocked her and said Grandma where you going you suppose to read this book to me.My grandma smiled and I can see it made her really happy.Then my grandma sat down and read me the story and we both ended the book by going to sleep.
With this book I learned a lesson to never be mean when someone is trying to help.Now that I talked about what I thought of the book and what lesson I learned you tell me what do you think.
December 5, 2014
Jennifer Johnson and Carly Meyers
Arthur is a very well known children's book. Marc Brown uses issues in childhood to write his books. This story starts off with the family wanting to go to the circus. Arthur gets sick at school and has to go home and ends up getting chicken pox. While Arthur is sick, his sister sees him getting to eat away from the table and other special things she can't do because she's not sick. She fakes getting chicken pox so her grandma can give her a nice oatmeal bath too and all of her polka dots wash off. Arthur gets better and its time to leave for the circus and DW comes downstairs with actual case of the chicken pox.
Here the words guide the story and the pictures tend to follow. These pictures are very consistent through the Arthur series. The pictures are realistic and show a normal house setting. Some of the pictures take up the whole page for important events and the smaller events take up part of the page. These pictures are very engaging to the readers and keep their interest through the whole book. Most of the lines used are very thin which symbolize elegant quality from the illustrator.
Arthur is a very well known children's book. Marc Brown uses issues in childhood to write his books. This story starts off with the family wanting to go to the circus. Arthur gets sick at school and has to go home and ends up getting chicken pox. While Arthur is sick, his sister sees him getting to eat away from the table and other special things she can't do because she's not sick. She fakes getting chicken pox so her grandma can give her a nice oatmeal bath too and all of her polka dots wash off. Arthur gets better and its time to leave for the circus and DW comes downstairs with actual case of the chicken pox.
Here the words guide the story and the pictures tend to follow. These pictures are very consistent through the Arthur series. The pictures are realistic and show a normal house setting. Some of the pictures take up the whole page for important events and the smaller events take up part of the page. These pictures are very engaging to the readers and keep their interest through the whole book. Most of the lines used are very thin which symbolize elegant quality from the illustrator.
January 30, 2017
Marc Brown brings Arthur to life once again in a relatable and imaginative story about Arthur catching the chicken pox. Arthur is initially to spend the weekend at the circus, but becomes disappointed when he catches the chicken pox. However, with a little Grandma Thora magic, Arthur realizes there are some perks to being sick—perks like eating chicken noodle soup on the couch and drinking juice in the tub. D.W. recognizes these perks and becomes jealous, even attempting to color in her own chicken pox. By the time the weekend rolls around, Arthur feels much better and is able to attend the circus! D.W. gets over her jealousy and walks downstairs—only to be greeted with an unfortunate surprise.
This book is good for entertaining children. Additionally, it features easily recognizable words that can be learned by beginning readers. This is a fun book for kids, especially kids familiar with the Arthur series.
This book is good for entertaining children. Additionally, it features easily recognizable words that can be learned by beginning readers. This is a fun book for kids, especially kids familiar with the Arthur series.
April 30, 2014
Arthur’s Chicken Pox written by Marc Brown is another Arthur book series. Arthur, Grandma Thora, and D.W. all had plans to go to the circus, but Arthur got a case of the chicken pox so they could not go anymore. D.W. his little sister gets jealous that Arthur gets all the attention since he is sick, so she fakes that she has the chicken pox. Until everyone found out she was faking it, she wakes up the next morning with chicken pox. This is a story that should be read to younger students. Because it is another book in the Arthur series, students will love this book. It teaches about the chicken pox since student’s get it commonly. It also presents this health issue in a positive, entertaining way instead of a boring presentation of what the chicken pox are and how to prevent it.
December 4, 2007
This is another cute Arthur story. It is about Arthur getting the chicken pox and being worried that he may not be able to attend the circus with his family. His sister taunts him through this ordeal. I enjoyed it because I can remember when I had the chicken pox and wasn't able to do all the things I wanted to do. Kids will like it because they can put themselves in Arthur's shoes and they all love Arthur stories. It would be good to read if chicken pox is going around in your class or if you were having a problem with students teasing one another.
April 4, 2019
This book is quite a bit different from the television episode that came later. The contrasts between the two are much more significant than usual for the series.
As always, Marc Brown has come through with a nice, humorous, homey story about Arthur and his family, complimented perfectly by thoughtful illustrations. When Arthur comes down with a case of the chicken pox it appears that he will miss his chance to see the circus come to town. Things aren't always how they seem, though, and what happens by the end is a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable story.
As always, Marc Brown has come through with a nice, humorous, homey story about Arthur and his family, complimented perfectly by thoughtful illustrations. When Arthur comes down with a case of the chicken pox it appears that he will miss his chance to see the circus come to town. Things aren't always how they seem, though, and what happens by the end is a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews