Arnold Perlstein is a fictional character from the book series "The Magic School Bus". In the series, Arnold is one of the students in Ms. Frizzle's class, and he often finds himself in humorous and unexpected situations during their educational field trips. Arnold is known for being nervous and cautious, which is a source of comic relief in the stories. He often worries about the safety of the class and the unusual experiences they encounter on their adventures. Despite his anxieties, Arnold is a loyal friend and is always willing to help his classmates when needed.
Janet: Arnold told me all about your field trips, Dorothy Ann. Dorothy Ann: [alarmed] What did he say! Janet: That they were, and I quote, "highly unusual".
In both the book and the TV episode, they first head the planetarium - only to find out it s closed for renovations, so they decide to take a field trip into the solar system instead. This pilot episode is based upon the 1990 book, The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System - the 4th book in the original Magic School Bus book series by writer Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen.
Despite his anxieties, Arnold is a loyal friend and is always willing to help his classmates when needed. One of the classic examples of Arnold's trepidation is his fear of the water during the class's trip to the ocean. When the class transforms into fish, Arnold is initially hesitant to join them, but eventually overcomes his fears and even ends up enjoying the experience.
Gets Lost in Space
Topic: The Solar System. Arnold's cousin Janet joins the class on a trip to explore the solar system. Topic: The Solar System. Arnold's cousin Janet joins the class on a trip to explore the solar system. Topic: The Solar System. Arnold's cousin Janet joins the class on a trip to explore the solar system.
- Director
- John May
- Kristin Laskas Martin
- Jocelyn Stevenson
- Lily Tomlin
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner
- Max Beckford
See production, box office & company info
IMDb RATING 8.0 / 10 YOUR RATING Rate- Director
- John May
- Kristin Laskas Martin
- Jocelyn Stevenson
- Lily Tomlin
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner
- Max Beckford
Videos 1
Watch The Magic School Bus: Gets Lost In SpacePhotos
Add photoTop cast
- Ms. Valerie Frizzle
- (voice)
- Ralphie Tennelli
- (voice)
- Wanda Li
- (voice)
- (as Lisa Yamanaka)
- Janet Perlstein
- (voice)
- Arnold Perlstein
- (voice)
- Phoebe Terese
- (voice)
- Keesha Franklin
- (voice)
- Director
- John May
- Kristin Laskas Martin
- Jocelyn Stevenson
Storyline
Did you know
This pilot episode is based upon the 1990 book, "The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System" - the 4th book in the original Magic School Bus book series by writer Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen. Arnold's cousin Janet was introduced in the series from that book where she was visiting from another school, but is visiting from another class instead in the TV series. In both the book and the TV episode, they first head the planetarium - only to find out it's closed for renovations, so they decide to take a field trip into the solar system instead.
Arnold would die instantly once he took off his helmet and froze. But he somehow managed to survive and fully recover.
Janet: Arnold told me all about your field trips, Dorothy Ann. Dorothy Ann: [alarmed] What did he say! Janet: That they were, and I quote, "highly unusual".
After losing the heat from his hot cocoa, Ms. Frizzle takes the class to the Arctic ("In the Arctic"). When Ralphie, Phoebe, Liz, and the bus get stranded on an ice flow, Arnold makes it his responsibility to save them while also trying to keep everyone else warm. He and Dorothy Ann compete in the 10th Annual International Show & Tell Competition in "Shows and Tells," but instead of bringing a rare collection of rocks, he brings some artifacts he found in his attic that belonged to his great-aunt, the famous archeologist Arizona Joan (a parody of the film character Indiana Jones). In "Rocks and Rolls," he fears that the statue he was supposed to carve (not by hand) is ruined, but instead, the rock slide the class caused on the side of a mountain carves a monument of the town founder. For the class' last day before winter break in "Holiday Special," Arnold made the suggestion they collect recycled goods to take to the recycling center. He accidentally puts Wanda's beloved toy soldier in the pile, causing her to blame his "crummy idea" and wish that recycling had never been invented.
In another memorable story, Arnold becomes a pumpkin after a mishap during a visit to a farm. This transformation leads to some hilarious moments as Arnold tries to navigate the world as a giant pumpkin. Throughout the series, Arnold's character provides a relatable perspective for young readers who may also feel cautious or anxious in new situations. He demonstrates that it's okay to have fears but also highlights the importance of overcoming them and embracing new experiences. Arnold Perlstein's presence in "The Magic School Bus" adds a layer of comedy and relatability to the stories. His character development and growth serve as a valuable lesson for readers about overcoming fears and embracing life's adventures..
Reviews for "Discovering the Joy of Learning with Arnold Perlstein's Magic School Bud"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Arnold Perlstein: The Magic School Bud." The writing was very simplistic and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot was predictable, and there were no real surprises or twists. Overall, I found the book to be quite dull and unengaging.
2. David - 1/5 stars - I found "Arnold Perlstein: The Magic School Bud" to be a complete waste of time. The story was poorly written with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structure. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to believe in the characters. Additionally, the concept of a "magic school bud" was clichéd and unoriginal. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed story.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I struggled to get through "Arnold Perlstein: The Magic School Bud." The pacing was incredibly slow, and there were long stretches of narrative that felt unnecessary. The main character, Arnold Perlstein, lacked any compelling qualities, and I found his journey uninteresting. The attempts at humor fell flat for me, and I didn't find the book as entertaining as I had hoped. Overall, it was a forgettable read that I wouldn't recommend to others.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - "Arnold Perlstein: The Magic School Bud" was a poorly written book that did not live up to its premise. The writing was amateurish, and the plot lacked coherence. The story jumped around without any clear direction, making it difficult to follow. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth or development. I was highly disappointed with this book and would advise others to skip it entirely.
5. Jenny - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Arnold Perlstein: The Magic School Bud," but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The plot felt contrived, and the magical elements were underdeveloped. The pacing was uneven, with random twists and turns that didn't add much to the overall story. I found the writing style to be too simplistic and juvenile for my liking. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.