Normally, I'm a big fan of the Arthur series, but this book is a lemon.
It starts out describing how Arthur isn't good at saving money because he likes to treat his friends to ice cream or pay for their tickets to the movie. Because he is so generous, his piggy bank is always empty.
One day, Arthur decides he is going to start saving money and deposits some quarters in his bank. D.W. wants to know what he's going to use the money for, and he tells her it's a secret. The book shows Arthur working hard to earn money doing things like walking dogs and collecting bottles.
So far, so good, right? Arthur is shown to be generous, thoughtful, and hard working. He gets a little snippy when his little sister keeps trying to guess what he's saving his money for, but hey, don't all big brothers get a little annoyed by their younger sisters?
Arthur is overheard by D.W. while he's telling Buster on the phone that he is going to break the bank the next day, and he hopes he has enough money. The next morning when Arthur awakes, the money is gone. He explains sadly to his mother and father that he was saving the money to buy D.W. a birthday gift, the Mary Moo Cow Fun Barn she's been dreaming of. His parents tell him not to worry, they're pretty sure someone else is getting the toy for D.W. anyhow. (What? No comforting for Arthur? No one is suspicious that his money just disappeared during the night?)
D.W. comes running into the room and hugs Arthur, realizing all his work was for her. She comes back with the piggy bank and claims she took it "for safekeeping" so he wouldn't buy "something silly." She then points out that since he has so much money, he can buy her all the accessories to go with her Mary Moo Cow Fun Barn.
And that's how the book ends. D.W. stole Arthur's money that he'd worked so hard for to buy her a gift, she shows no remorse, doesn't even apologize, and then tells him he can spend it on her anyhow. I guess there's supposed to be a punch line in there somewhere, but I didn't find it funny.
In most children's literature I've read, when a person does something wrong, there is some contriteness by that character, and some type of consequence; basically a lesson learned by all. Not here. There is no real ending, nothing learned, except nice guys finish last.
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