Prunella Deegan

Prunella Deegan is a fourth-grader who lives in Elwood City. She is an avid reader and, like her sister Rubella, is interested in the supernatural. She made her first appearance in the book Arthur's Teacher Trouble in 1986, and has appeared in subsequent titles and later into the TV series.

Her last name Deegan was named after Jacqui Deegan, one of WGBH's storywriters.

Prunella's favourite books: King Midas: A Golden Tale by Omar Rayyan Pegasus by Marianna Mayer The Race of the Golden Apples by Claire Martin Wings by Jane Yolen

Appearance
Prunella is a tall, slender anthropomorphic poodle with curly auburn hair and black eyes. Most often, she is shown wearing a short turquoise dress. She occasionally has whites for eyes when she expresses surprise about things happening (although in the books, she was sometimes illustrated with visible whites around her eyes as well as the other characters, who were randomly drawn to have white or black eyes).

During formal occasions, she wears a light blue dress with white strings that she ties together.

Personality
Prunella is smart, superstitious, and a little bit selfish. Even though she doesn't hang out with Muffy that much, she can be a snob.

Prunella can be very similar to Muffy. For example, she hates kickball because she doesn't want to get her shoes dirty (we learned this in Francine's bad hair day, and she desires the finest clothes. She even acts like Muffy, like when she wanted these cool jeans because Muffy wore them.

Prunella is a major Henry Skreever fan and she has almost all the books!

She enjoys fortune-telling (such as gazing at the crystal ball and playing cootie catcher), yoga, and paranormal phenomena.

In the episode The Big Blow-up, she is on the Lakewood Elementary Soccer Team. Her position and jersey number are never revealed on-air.

Family
Prunella lives in Elwood City with her mom and sister Rubella. Prunella has a father who lives with her, but it is assumed that he works a lot because he is never home. He appeared momentarily in the episode "The Chips Are Down" at Rubella and Binky's ballet recital.

She is often called "Pruney" by her sister, Rubella.

Friends
Although Prunella is in fourth grade, she is usually friends with the third graders, but had a few fourth grade friends at her parties in Misfortune Teller and Prunella Gets it Twice.


 * Marina Dattilo: Prunella's best friend. They both like Henry Skreever and they play it at each other's houses. Marina is a blind rabbit.


 * Muffy: Prunella's second best friend. Even if they don't hang out much Prunella acts a lot like Muffy sometimes, such as shopping (usually for new clothes). Prunella was once jealous when she didn't get to buy flashpants that Muffy bought and enjoyed.


 * Francine: Although they don't hang out much, they don't share a lot in common, even though they are friends. Francine once bought her a second Polly Locket for her 10th birthday in Prunella Gets it Twice, and she also cheated Francine into thinking Arthur was in love with her in Arthur and the Square Dance.


 * Brain: Prunella and Brain both are smart but they don't really hang out. But Prunella did manage to keep Brain's secret of being held back in kindergarten.