The Arthur Podcast

Arthur Read has been a part of children's media for decades -- the TV show ran from 1996 to 2022, making it one of the longest-running animated programs in history. The Arthur Podcast continues that legacy in audio form, produced by GBH and PBS Kids. The same characters kids know from the show -- Arthur, D.W., Buster, Francine, the whole Elwood City crew -- appear in new stories designed specifically for listening. The show has about 100 episodes and the format works well for the podcast medium. Stories deal with everyday kid experiences: friendships, school challenges, family dynamics, and growing up. The writing maintains the same respect for children's intelligence that made the TV series beloved by parents and educators for over two decades. Episodes are designed to prompt conversations between kids and the adults in their lives, and PBS Kids' involvement means the educational underpinning is solid. For families who grew up with Arthur on television, the podcast is a lovely way to share those characters with a new generation. And for kids discovering Arthur for the first time through audio, the stories stand on their own without needing any TV background. The show is free and carries the PBS Kids seal of quality that parents have trusted for years. It may not have the splashiest production of every podcast on this list, but it brings decades of thoughtful children's storytelling to a format that fits into busy family routines.