Marc Brown is a three-time Emmy-Award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 100 children’s books. His beloved Arthur series has delighted children and adults for decades; today, the titular aardvark and his friends appear in books, apps, and television programs in more than 80 countries worldwide. Brown’s newest book, Believe in Yourself (Little, Brown, Jan. 11), is a celebration of all things Arthur and a sweet and inspiring book for readers both young and old.

From the Kirkus review of Believe in Yourself: “Life lessons, quotes, and warmly rendered illustrations pepper five sections ranging from ‘Believe in Yourself’ to ‘Believe in Opening Your Eyes, Ears, and Heart’ and ‘Believe in a Wonderful Kind of Day’…Marc Brown’s creation has earned the love and respect of generations, and most readers will find something amusing in here, e.g., a D.W. witticism or hilarious joke from Buster that will remind them of weekday afternoons spent watching Arthur after finishing homework.”

In this video interview, conducted over Zoom, Brown talks about the stories behind the book’s title, how his goals for Arthur have changed over the show’s 25 years (he’s had help from friends along the way, including Rep. John Lewis and Fred Rogers), and how, when it comes to finding inspiration, “there’s nothing better than real life.”