ARTURO

Arturo craves acclaim and doesn’t sit idly by, waiting for the spotlight to claim him. He works at being the “centre of attention,” acting “cheeky” and striking rude poses. (This import from Australia and New Zealand has not been Americanized.) Disregarding warnings that “if the wind changes…you’ll stick like that,” Arturo keeps it up—until the wind does change, and he turns into a statue, frozen in a ludicrous posture with a rather daft facial expression. Efforts at unsticking fail; Arturo is used for utilitarian purposes, as coat rack, Christmas tree, and scarecrow. But could fame finally be within his grasp? “Chat shows,” celebrity soirees, and news articles attest to Arturo’s notoriety. His placement atop a pedestal proves he’s famous and loved! At story’s end, though, Arturo is inexplicably released from his immobile existence, and he realizes he’d rather be himself. Of course, “himself” isn’t famous but is still naughty. There’s an obvious illustrated hint that Arturo quickly returns to his former ways, having learned little except that fame is illusory. This humorous but thin story thus forgoes what could have been a pat lesson about improving moral character; it concludes realistically and accessibly: A pesky pain in the neck is likely to remain so. Comical cartoons feature lots of white space; Arturo’s exaggerated facial features enhance the fun.

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