Charlotte's Web

Charlotte’s Web

E.B.White

Illustrated by: Garth Williams

Being able to talk to animals is a wish that lives in every child’s imagination. In Charlotte’s Web, a little girl, Fern finds herself saving a runt pig and taking care of it. Her constant attention to animals and lack of friends troubles her mother. Wilbur, the runt pig, ends up living at her uncle’s farm across the road and tries to make friends with the cows, sheep, horse, and geese, but ends up befriending Charlotte, the spider. Charlotte promises Wilbur he will see snow after the other animals frighten him, and makes it her mission to save him from slaughter. Templeton the selfish mouse, ends up contributing to saving Wilbur. It seems as if Templeton is in it only for slops but in the end shows he truly cares. Charlotte draws attention to Wilbur by spinning words in a web above his stall. Wilbur is taken to the fair and thanks to Charlotte’s web, is saved. Charlotte, much to Wilbur’s dismay, dies as she leaves behind her spider babies. He and Templeton save them and return to the farm to honor Charlotte as she had done for him. Wilbur is saved, and from Fern’s mother’s point of view, Fern is saved too, as she has made friends. This magical tale of friendship shows the importance of humility, compassion, kindness, and strength. The animals and Fern show that small things have a great value and everyone deserves a chance. Although some appear not to deserve kindness, those are the ones that may need it the most. Throughout this tale children will be entertained and amused while learning to be humble and kind. I believe the author does a fantastic job using figurative language and a voice that connects to young readers that will keep them turning the pages.

BIBLIO: 2012, HarperCollins, Ages 6 to 12, $6.29.

REVIEWER: Jennifer Debo

Format: chapter book

ISBN: 0064400557