An aardvark named Arthur is the main character of the longest running animated children's TV show titled "Arthur." The creator, who was born in Erie, came back to the region Friday to speak with more than 360 kids who finished the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County's summer reading program. 

Marc Brown talked about Arthur's real life inspiration and the series' regional ties.

Millions of kids around the world watch America's most beloved aardvark named Arthur on TV.

"I never in a million years dreamed it could turn into a series of books or a TV series. It's now the longest running animated children's show in history and we're continuing to make new shows," said Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the "Arthur Adventure" books and executive producer of the TV show.

"Arthur is like part animal and part human," explained Rosa Pascolini, six, of Canfield. 

"He's kind," added Luciano Pascolini, nine, of Canfield.

"He's a good guy," described Isaiah Brannan, eight, of Youngstown.

Hundreds of children and adults at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown related to this eight-year-old character's life.

More than 600 people attended the breakfast to meet Brown.

Arthur is a problem solver navigating common scenarios such as getting glasses, not wanting to go to camp and a family vacation that does not go as planned.

Bryn Novotny, six, of Canfield chose the book "Arthur's Tooth" "because I have a loose tooth," just like Arthur.

The situations and characters are all based on real life.

The fictional location of Elwood City is no coincidence.

"My producer had family there (in Ellwood City, Lawrence County) and we were looking for a good name for Arthur's town. Elwood City (spelled differently) seemed like a perfect fit. Now I can't imagine anything else," Brown said.

Born in Erie, Brown drew upon his own childhood experiences at Lakewood Elementary, which is also the name of Arthur's school.

"It started in third grade. I didn't realize my whole career was right there in third grade. All the kids I knew became characters in my books, my teachers," Brown said.

Francine is based on his sister Bonnie who "is very bossy, good at sports. She became a kindergarten teacher" and spunky D.W. "she's a combination of three sisters who are trouble."

His grandma Thora was a great storyteller and always believed in Brown and she is grandma Thora in the series.

The family also had relatives in Youngstown. Marc remembers visiting Aunt Nellie and Uncle Ed Snow and his cousins here.

"I remember being in Youngstown and watching "The Ed Sullivan Show" when Elvis Presley was on! I was five-years-old and it was so exciting! I didn't know that I should be excited but my cousin who was a teenager, she was really excited, so I got excited too," Brown said.

It wasn't until Brown was a father to his young son Tolon, that the idea of Arthur was born.

"I had lost several jobs and it was a really sad day. I was teaching in a college that closed and I came home and my son wanted a bedtime story and it turned out to be a story about a little aardvark who wanted to change his nose," Brown said.

"So I started with a really long nose," Brown described as he drew Arthur for the audience but the nose has changed since the 1970s becoming smaller, with a round face and glasses.

"It was not a conscious effort," Brown said.

But what is intentional is teaching kids life lessons in a fun way.

"He is an eight-year-old aardvark who is navigating the mud puddles of life. You know as we all are really. We all have obstacles and it's how we handle them and if Arthur can show kids that you can get through problems, solve problems, that's really a good message for kids, it gives them confidence," Brown said.

He also added, "It's a good message Arthur has right, believe in yourself!"

Brown is also working on a new TV series geared towards preschoolers called "Hop" about a frog who runs the Lilly Pad Diner.