Lost Library Book

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Welcome to the Arthur podcast. This isn't Arthur speaking, though. He doesn't even know I'm here. Wow! Today's story is called The Lost Book.

It's about a mistake, Arthur made, a bigger than an elephant mistake. Chapter one, Arthur visits the library. Ooh, I want this book. In this one, don't take all the books, Arthur.

I'm not busted. Just a lot of them. I'm his dinner. Can I check out 10 books? Of course.

“And the new scare your pants off focus in.”

No way! I've been waiting for that! The curse of the moldy mansion. I love it, and it's brand new.

I'm the first one to open it.

Arthur, I've been looking for that. Can I read it first? I'm reading it first. I call dips yesterday. Uh, you can't call dips on something you haven't seen. Dibs works across the space-time continuum.

Everybody knows that. You can both stop arguing because I'm reading it first. Check it out for me, Mr. Turner. Pooots. Checked out to Arthur read.

So Arthur got the book, podcast listeners. He got 11 books that he had to carry on on his bike. This is a lot of books to hold in. One, two, three. Maybe I can strap them to the back of my bike.

That should work.

My bike's only a little wobbly.

Arthur's whistle was so loud, and so bad he didn't even hear. What? You just heard podcast people. The sound of his scare your pants off hook. Falling onto the sidewalk. What?

Chapter two. One week later. Arthur, Arthur read. I'm in my room. Mom found a library book in the laundry.

“You should be more careful with your books.”

I am careful. Wait, who said you could come in my room? How'd that stinky house book turn out? Moldy Manchin DW. Whatever. What do you read it to me?

You're too young for scary books. I'm old, Arthur. I'm five. Well, I'm not reading it to you. Oh, I kind of forgot about that book. I'll start it now.

Why are you still in my room DW? Cause. Cause is not a reason. Where'd I put the book? It's not on my desk.

I bet it fell under your bed. Good thinking. There's a ton of dust under here. That's what you get for being a slob. Will you get out of my room?

I have to go find my book. That you lost it. I don't lose things DW. Arthur doesn't lose things. He lost three games and go fish in a row.

Anyway, back to this story. Sorry, Arthur. I haven't seen your library book. I've looked everywhere. In the living room, the kitchen, the tree house, the garage is the only place I have it.

Wait, I think I see it. Those are cookbooks. Your book's not there. I promise. This calls for a detective. I should call Buster.

Only I can't. He's a suspect. What do you mean a suspect? Francine and Buster really wanted to read that book. What if one of them took it?

Maybe I left the book up there and laid at night.

One of them crept up the ladder and grabbed it. Then bungee jumped out of the tree house and ran off into the moonlight. Or maybe you just lost it. I don't lose stuff, Dad. There's only one person I can trust to help me.

“Pinkie. Are you on the edge of your seat's podcast friends?”

If you're not, you should be. We're at Chapter 3 now. The investigation. You are me to help you find some dopey book. You're the only person I trust, Pinkie.

You wouldn't read a book if I'd page it. What's in it for me? Well, there's fame and fortune. It's a super important investigation. You mean like top secret?

Don't spill the beans and stuff. Exactly. In fact, we should be whispering. What do you want me to do?

We need to look for clues and ask questions.

I've got my eye on Francine and Buster, but anyone could have done it. Got your boss. Do I get a badge? No, I want a badge. All that dick.

Arthur and Pinkie search for clues and ask the bunch of nosy questions. After school, they met by the swings to compare notes. I made a list of everyone who might have taken the book. We'll go through it one by one. Good thinking boss.

Number one, Sue Ellen.

“She told me she read the book a month ago,”

so we can cross her out. Number two, Prunella. She's reading the new Henry Scriber right now, so she's in the clear. Number three, Muffy's dad bought 17 copies.

One for each room in the house. So she didn't do it. Well, that's it for me so far. What'd you find out? It wasn't Mr. Rattburn.

He thinks the scare your pants off books are, quote, highly overrated clapped trap.

I never thought it was Mr. Rattburn.

And it wasn't that kid with the antlers. George? Yeah. He's listening to the audio book. So it wasn't Mr. Rattburn or George?

Arthur. Arthur read. Quick. It's the list. I'm not gonna eat it.

Hey, Francine. Hey, Buster. What's up? Pinkie said you think I stole your book. Pinkie.

This investigation is top secret. I forgot. He also said your other top suspect is me. Me. Your best friend.

Well, somebody took the book and you both wanted to read it. Why do you think someone took it? You probably lost for the hundredth time. I don't lose things. You lost your dog.

That wasn't my fault. You lose to me and soccer all the time. That is not the same thing. You lose your glasses and your homework. You lost yourself on the bus that time.

Got you, buddy. Well, okay. Sometimes I do lose stuff, but I didn't lose that book. I'm sure. Pretty sure.

Let's think this through. If we didn't take it and you didn't lose it, maybe the giant mutant mole people have it. Wow. I've heard of them, but I didn't think they were real.

They're not real. Arthur lost the book and he'd better find it. Yeah. Because we're waiting to read it. I know, I know.

Don't be mad at me, okay. But Arthur's friends were mad. Which brings us to chapter four. Arthur is in big. Did you start the podcast without me?

Maybe. I mean, maybe. You should have waited. And what's with the weird voice? It's a fun way to tell a story.

And I'm telling the story, Arthur. Not you. How far did you get? I'm up to chapter four. Arthur is in big trouble.

That is not the name of the chapter. The real name is... Okay, okay. Maybe I did lose the book.

“You have to say that in a mysterious voice.”

It was bad podcast listeners. Really bad. I had a nightmare that Miss Turner was after me. It's the library squad. Don't let them in.

They'll take me away. What's the library squad? It's Miss Turner. And all the kids who volunteer to show books. They're vicious.

They'll stop at nothing. Oh, my son. The book loser. Why were you so careless?

It was an accident. accident. Miss Turner, look at his guilty face.

“We have special rules for boys who lose library books.”

Miss Turner told me my books would be clamped to chains. And if I lost another book, you will be clamped to chains. And tossed in a dungeon. Oh, bad dreams are the worst. So was losing a book.

Oh, you'll have to save up your allowance and replace it. Save up to buy a book. That'll take 600 years. When do you go to jail? I'm not going to jail, DW.

It's not a crime to lose a book. It should be. And now we're at Chapter 5.

Our third time telling the story.

Chapter 5. Arthur gets his crum pens. What's a crum pens? It's when you get what you deserve. You mean come up in?

No, I mean crum pens. Mr. Turner? Hello Arthur. Did you enjoy your books? Yeah, I did.

Except for the one I lost. Then scare your pants off. It's not lost.

“That boy over there returned it yesterday.”

Pinkie? Pinkie! You found my book? Who had it? A kid from school?

Which kid? Um... Me. Haha. Funny.

Funny.

Seriously though, who had it?

Me! I found it on the sidewalk like a week ago. Who lives a book on the sidewalk? It was an accident. It must have fallen off my bike.

Well you should be more careful. I am careful. Because that was a really good book. As soon as I finished, I returned it to the library. Lucky for you, I have a deep respect for literature.

But why didn't you tell me? Instead of doing all that investigation and stuff? Because I knew you'd laugh at me for reading. I wouldn't laugh at you. Excuse me?

You did laugh at him. Let's play back. I can't from school. Which kid? Um...

Me. Haha. Funny. Funny. Seriously though, who had it?

You're right. I did laugh. Sorry, Pinky. That's okay. Just don't do it again.

Ms. Turner? Since I didn't get to read the scare your pants off book, can I check it out again? Sorry. There's a waiting list.

30 people ahead of you. No. So that is the thrilling tale of how Arthur made a big mistake. So big, he lost a book that blamed a whole bunch of people. Because he wouldn't admit he lost a book.

Can you wrap it up, DW? There's only one thing left to say. And I know what it is. Join us. Next time for a thrilling podcast on how DW messed something up.

Is that your mystery voice? Yes. You sound as mysterious as a ping-pong ball. That's it, everyone. D-end.

I mean... D-end. And now it's time for... Dear DW. Woo!

It's me. DW. Here to answer all of your questions because I know best.

Ready for your first question?

Lay it on me. Maylan L wants to know. Dear DW. What's one thing you like about Arthur? Hmm.

That's hard. Here's a sound by brain thinking hard. I know. I like how he forgets where he left his school bag and I have to go find it. He can't do anything without me.

Question number two from Ethan B. Dear DW. If two foods had to touch before you ate them, what would those two foods be? Food should not touch.

“If your food touches anything, you have to get six napkins and wipe it off.”

Food goodies are not good, but dogs don't mind. Power will eat anything. Oops, that sound means we're out of time. Don't forget, send your questions to me. Dear DW.

See you later, refrigerator. And that's the show podcast nation. If you liked it, ask your grown-up to subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes.

The Arthur podcast is produced for PBS Kids by GBH Kids in partnership with Hothead Creative Studios and distributed by PBS Kids and PRX. Thanks for listening.