Multiple generations of children have gotten to know an 8-year-old aardvark named Arthur Read—along with his little sister D.W. and various friends—through picture-book adventures and a PBS television series that’s second only to The Simpsons in terms of animated longevity. Author Marc Brown, however, took a nearly 10-year hiatus from creating new Arthur picture books—but he’s returning to celebrate the character’s 35th anniversary with Arthur Turns Green.

Just in time for Earth Day, it seems Arthur has become environmentally conscious. He wants to replace his house’s light bulbs with compact fluorescents and get serious about recycling. But all this “green” stuff is kind of confusing to D.W. Is Arthur literally turning green?

Kids will get a chance to learn about what they can do to make a better world through Brown’s typically lively style. And their parents can get a chance to meet the creator of books that they may have loved as a child.

Marc Brown @ Anderson-Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 East, 801-594-8611, April 18, 5 p.m., free. SLCPL.org