book review of charlotte's web

Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White | Book Review

The Children’s Book Review  | January 14, 2016

Charlotte’s Web

Written by E.B. White

Illustrated by Garth Williams

Age Range:  8 – 12 years

Hardcover:  192 pages

Publisher:  HarperCollins; Early edition (April 10, 2012)

ISBN-13:  978-0739477076

What to expect: Barnyard Animals, Friendship, Life and Death, Love, and New Beginnings

Charlotte’s Web is one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. It has sold more than 45 million copies and has been translated into 23 languages.

The story is about a barnyard pig named Wilbur that can talk, a barn spider named Charlotte that can write, and a young girl named Fern that stands up for her beliefs. Born the runt of his litter, energetic Wilbur risks losing his life at the mercy of the farmer, Mr. Zuckerman. Charlotte comes up with an amazing plan to save Wilbur’s life: she writes powerful messages on her web to help convince the farmer that Wilbur should live. Readers will learn what it means to be a friend in this beautiful and powerful story about friendship, life and death, love, and new beginnings.

From grammar to the tenderness in which this story is delivered, E. B. White’s writing is so perfect. It’s no wonder that Charlotte’s Web  is a Newbery Honor Book (1953) and won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (1970), among other awards. And Garth William’s muted illustrations are entirely without fault. Whether read aloud or solo, this is a book well deserving of its “classic” status.

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Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | January 17, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0061992254

About the Author

E. B. White , the author of such beloved classics as  Charlotte’s Web ,  Stuart Little , and  The Trumpet of the Swan , was born in Mount Vernon, New York. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and, five or six years later, joined the staff of  The New Yorker  magazine, then in its infancy. He died on October 1, 1985, and was survived by his son and three grandchildren.

Mr. White’s essays have appeared in  Harper’s  magazine, and some of his other books are:  One Man’s Meat ,  The Second Tree from the Corner ,  Letters of E. B. White ,  Essays of E. B. White , and  Poems and Sketches of E. B. White . He won countless awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, which commended him for making a “substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.”

During his lifetime, many young readers asked Mr. White if his stories were true. In a letter written to be sent to his fans, he answered, “No, they are imaginary tales . . . But real life is only one kind of life—there is also the life of the imagination.”

About the Illustrator

Garth Williams’s classic illustrations for the Little House books caused Laura to remark that she “and her folks live again in these pictures.” Garth Williams also illustrated  Charlotte’s Web ,  Stuart Little , and almost one hundred other books.

Charlotte’s Web,  written by E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like  Charlotte’s Web   by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Classics ,  E. B. White ,  Farm Life ,  Friendship ,  Garth Williams ,  Loss , and  New Beginnings .

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

A very nice review

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CHARLOTTE'S WEB

by E.B. White illustrated by Garth Williams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1952

The three way chats, in which they are joined by other animals, about web spinning, themselves, other humans—are as often...

A successful juvenile by the beloved New Yorker writer portrays a farm episode with an imaginative twist that makes a poignant, humorous story of a pig, a spider and a little girl.

Young Fern Arable pleads for the life of runt piglet Wilbur and gets her father to sell him to a neighbor, Mr. Zuckerman. Daily, Fern visits the Zuckermans to sit and muse with Wilbur and with the clever pen spider Charlotte, who befriends him when he is lonely and downcast. At the news of Wilbur's forthcoming slaughter, campaigning Charlotte, to the astonishment of people for miles around, spins words in her web. "Some Pig" comes first. Then "Terrific"—then "Radiant". The last word, when Wilbur is about to win a show prize and Charlotte is about to die from building her egg sac, is "Humble". And as the wonderful Charlotte does die, the sadness is tempered by the promise of more spiders next spring.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1952

ISBN: 978-0-06-026385-0

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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BOOK REVIEW

by E.B. White & illustrated by Maggie Kneen

by E.B. White illustrated by Fred Marcellino

by E.B. White illustrated by Garth Williams

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From the wild robot series , vol. 3.

by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023

Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.

Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.

When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023

ISBN: 9780316669412

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023

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THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY

From the one and only series , vol. 4.

by Katherine Applegate ; illustrated by Patricia Castelao ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2024

Not the most satisfying wrap-up, but it’s always good to spend time in the world of this series.

Beloved gorilla Ivan becomes a father to rambunctious twins in this finale to a quartet that began with 2012’s Newbery Award–winning The One and Only Ivan .

Life hasn’t always been easy for silverback gorilla Ivan, who’s spent most of his life being mistreated in captivity. Now he’s living in a wildlife sanctuary, but he still gets to see his two best friends. Young elephant Ruby lives in the grassy habitat next door, and former stray dog Bob has a home with one of the zookeepers. All three were rescued from the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Ivan’s expanded world includes fellow gorilla Kinyani—the two are about to become parents, and Ivan is revisiting the traumas of his past in light of what he wants the twins to know. When the subject inevitably comes up, Applegate’s trust and respect for readers is evident. She doesn’t shy away from hard truths as Ivan wrestles with the fact that poachers killed his family. Readers will need the context provided by knowledge of the earlier books to feel the full emotional impact of this story. The rushed ending unfortunately falls flat, detracting from the central message that a complex life can still contain hope. Final art not seen.

Pub Date: May 7, 2024

ISBN: 9780063221123

Page Count: 272

Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024

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Charlotte’s web by eb white [a review].

Life is full of some grim certainties. For animals on a farm this is even more true. But true friendship can do much more than make a short life more pleasant. 

Fern is horrified to hear that her father plans to kill a new piglet, the runt of a litter born just that morning, with an axe. She manages to convince her father to spare the piglet but it is now her responsibility. It is nothing eight-year-old Fern can’t handle. She names the piglet Wilbur and feeds him from a bottle.

Weeks later, Fern’s father warns that it is time for Wilbur to be sold. He is now eating solids and his other siblings have already been sold. Though she cries and protests, her father has a solution. They can sell Wilbur to Uncle Zuckerman who sometimes keeps pigs. Fern makes the arrangements and soon Wilbur is living in the Zuckerman’s barn with other animals and is visited daily by Fern.

But Wilbur is soon unhappy in the Zuckerman’s barn. It is boring and lonely there. The other animals are not much fun and their advice can be unhelpful and overwhelming. Just when depression seems to be taking hold, Wilbur hears the voice of someone who does want to be his friend.

Charlotte, a spider, is clever, pretty and well-spoken. The pig and the spider form an unlikely friendship.

‘Well,’ he thought, ‘I’ve got a new friend, all right. But what a gamble friendship is! Charlotte is fierce, brutal, scheming, bloodthirsty – everything I don’t like. How can I learn to like her, even though she is pretty and, of course, clever?’

But the other animals find Wilbur very naïve. One day the sheep breaks it to Wilbur that the farmer is fattening him up to kill at Christmas. Wilbur, understandably distraught, weeps and weeps. Until his only friend urges him to cut out the hysterics and vows to save him. There is just the small matter of how a small, humble spider, no matter how clever, can save a farm pig?

I did not read Charlotte’s Web as a child. It came to be on my Reading List as a book recommended by my wife. I knew by reputation it to be a book that is somewhat sad but had not expected it to be quite so sad and, at times, dark. The reader is not sheltered from the harsh life-and-death realities of farm life. Even Charlotte, who may seem more ‘humane’, does not shy away from her nature. It joins a number of classic children’s books that makes a parent wonder if we really need to treat kids so gently when they are perfectly capable of handling more than we assume.

Like a lot of children’s stories that involve interaction between children and animals, in Charlotte’s Web, Fern understands much of the conversation going on in the barn, while the adults in the story, remain ignorant of the intelligence of the animals. So, like other stories, Charlotte’s Web contains the message of the intelligence of children, their closeness to nature and innocence that is lost when they become adults. Even with Fern’s understanding, in Charlotte’s Web the animals inhabit a world of their own and a complex life largely unknown to humans.

To me, the key message of Charlotte’s Web is of the nature of friendship. Charlotte decides herself to be a friend to Wilbur who badly needs one. She was not asked, she did not need a reason beyond her own and she did not require or expect any reciprocity. Her selfless efforts and sacrifices build a strong and durable bond between two new friends. Neither allow their differences to be a barrier to friendship. It reflects an ideal most of us have or would like to have with family, close friends and even beyond into our community. More than once Charlotte acts as a parent figure to Wilbur; giving assurance even when there is little reason for confidence, indulging him but only so far, even asking Wilbur to respect her need for a break. But their way is not the only way of having relationships with other people.

The contrast is provided by Templeton, a rat who lives under Wilbur’s feeding trough. Templeton deals with others in a transactional way based on mutual self-interest. Templeton points out that, like Charlotte, he too has had a large positive impact on Wilbur’s life. He has a point but his insistence on transactional relationships may mean that his complaint of being unappreciated can’t be taken as far as he would like.

The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency, no milk of rodent kindness, no compunctions, no higher feeling, no friendliness, no anything.

More than a different way of working with people, Templeton represents a different way of living. For both, he may have little choice in how he conducts it. Unlike Charlotte, a spider, who may be ignored on a farm; or Wilbur, a pig, whose life has a purpose on a farm, up to a point; Templeton, a rat, is seen only as a pest. His life would be forfeit as soon as the farmer discovers it. As such, he lives a live-fast-die-young lifestyle and is a bit of a hedonist. His transactional way with others may only reflect the fact that he does not expect anyone to stick their neck out for him and he must instead be his own best advocate.

‘A rat is a rat,’ said Charlotte. She laughed a tinkling little laugh.

Though he may at times appear selfish, like Charlotte and the other animal characters, he does according to his nature.

‘I am not entirely happy about my diet of flies and bugs, but it’s the way I’m made. A spider has to pick up a living somehow or other, and I happen to be a trapper. I just naturally build a web and trap flies and other insects. My mother was a trapper before me. Her mother was a trapper before her. All our family have been trappers. Way back for thousands and thousands of years we spiders have been laying for flies and bugs.’

‘It’s a miserable inheritance,’ said Wilbur, gloomily. He was sad because his new friend was so bloodthirsty.

‘Yes, it is,’ agreed Charlotte. ‘But I can’t help it.’

The contrast between Templeton’s and Charlotte’s relationships with Wilbur can be taken as an analogy for how we all conduct ourselves with others whether we are always aware of it or not. On one dimension, near the centre of our circle of concern, we probably maintain more selfless and loving relationships with family and friends. We know how things can become awkward and uncomfortable when we add a transaction to the relationship, say when loaning a friend a large sum of money. Far from the centre, we probably hold more transactional relationships, for instance in our role as consumers. In between there can be some conflict, often where people differ on how generous or transactional they wish a relationship to be, for example with government or employers.

On another dimension, the world does not stand still and in some circumstances we may find the Charlottes become the Templetons and vice-versa. When people find themselves caught up in a war, in a natural disaster, in a global pandemic; we see extremes in both generosity and transactional survival instincts.

I suppose one reason this aspect of Charlotte’s Web impacted me so strongly is because, at the time I read it, my wife and I were re-watching the TV series Lost . In Lost , there is a similar dynamic between characters. The more-selfless surgeon Jack is contrasted with the more-transactional conman Sawyer. It has probably been on my mind also because of certain world leaders who seem to take the transactional aspect of political deal-making to self-serving extremes at the expense of their other responsibilities.

It is impossible for me to say how I might have found Charlotte’s Web if I had read it as a child. The least I can say for this well-written story as an adult is that it was satisfying to finally read a classic. One that many people have lifelong affection for and is frequently alluded to in popular culture making familiarity with it essential.

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I personally think Charlotte’s Web is the most depressing and downbeat novel I have ever read. It is supposed to be a children’s novel, yet it dwells constantly on death and change. I would NOT recommend this to any parent buying books for their children, as it will onl;y serve to upset and terrify them.

Perhaps. A lot of stories which were classics for children are viewed differently with modern eyes. Alternatively, there is a good argument to be made that today’s children are too coddled and ill-prepared for reality. Charlotte’s Web can be a gentle way to introduce a difficult subject that all children will have to confront eventually. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s right for all children or all children are ready for it.

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How E.B. White Spun 'Charlotte's Web'

Maureen Corrigan

The Story of Charlotte's Web: E. B. White's Eccentric Life in Nature and the Birth of an American Classic By Michael Sims Hardcover, 320 pages Walker & Co. List Price: $25

Read An Excerpt

In a poll of librarians, teachers, publishers and authors, the trade magazine Publisher's Weekly asked for a list of the best children's books ever published in the United States. Hands down, the No. 1 book was E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. Now, a new book called The Story of Charlotte's Web explores how White's masterpiece came to be.

One early fall morning in 1949, E.B. White walked into the barn of his farm in Maine and saw a spider web. That in itself was nothing new, but this web, with its elaborate loops and whorls that glistened with early morning dew, caught his attention. Weeks passed until one cold October evening when he noticed that the spider was spinning what turned out to be an egg sac. White never saw the spider again and, so, when he had to return later that fall to New York City to his job as a regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine, White took out a razor blade and cut the silken egg sac out of the web. He put the sac in an empty candy box, punched some holes in it, and absent-mindedly put the box atop his bedroom bureau in New York.

Weeks later, a movement on that bureau alerted him to the fact that tiny spiderlings were making a Great Escape through the air holes. White was delighted at this affirmation of life and left the hundreds of barn spiderlings alone for the next week or so — to spin webs from his hair brush to his nail scissors to his mirror — until, finally, the cleaning lady complained.

Thus was hatched the idea for Charlotte's Web, White's magical meditation on the passage of time, mortality and the great gift of finding a "true friend" in this world. However, as Michael Sims tells us in his wonderful new book called The Story of Charlotte's Web , there was also a much longer incubation period for White's classic — a period that began with his isolated childhood as the youngest of seven children; the snappy creative bustle of the New York newspaper world in the 1920s, which gave White his career and his writing role models; and White's own lifelong struggle with anxiety. That anxiety was soothed, in part, by writing and by the company of animals (except, that is, for rats — take that, Templeton!). If you love Charlotte's Web — and, please, if you don't, just get help now! — Sims' lively and detailed excursion into the mystery of how White's classic came to be is a perfect read for this season: full of grass and insects, pigs and summer rain.

Michael Sims' other nonfiction books include In the Womb: Animals and Apollo's Fire . He has edited several anthologies of Victorian and Edwardian fiction and poetry. Dennis Wile hide caption

Michael Sims' other nonfiction books include In the Womb: Animals and Apollo's Fire . He has edited several anthologies of Victorian and Edwardian fiction and poetry.

The first two-thirds or so of The Story of Charlotte's Web recounts White's life up to his 50s, when he began writing his masterpiece. Good as it is, the final section of Sims' book is the real revelation — not only about the influences on Charlotte's Web , but about just how hard it was for White to write despite the fact that his style always seemed effortless. White was encouraged to attempt children's fiction by his wife, Katherine White, who was the fiction editor of The New Yorker and a regular reviewer of children's literature. She had urged him to write his first children's book, Stuart Little, which was published in 1945 and had taken him over six years to write.

White also took inspiration from the 1920s newspaper columnist Don Marquis, who wrote acclaimed stories about a poetic typing cockroach named Archy. White was adamant that, like Archy, his fictional animal characters should not be cute but should remain true to their predatory and, in the case of Wilbur, their manure-loving, messy nature. The notes that White made for Charlotte's Web — some of which Sims reprints here — show a multitude of false starts and cross outs. White finished the first draft of the novel in 1951 and then let it sit for a year.

He said in a letter to his patient editor: "I've recently finished another children's book, but have put it away to ripen (let the body heat out of it). It doesn't satisfy me the way it is and I think eventually I shall rewrite it pretty much." When Charlotte's Web finally came out in October 1952, most of the reviews were laudatory, except for one written by Anne Carroll Moore, the influential children's division librarian for the New York Public Library. Years earlier, Moore had panned Stuart Little and now she slammed Charlotte's Web for leaving the human character of Fern "undeveloped."

In Character

Charlotte a. cavatica: bloodthirsty, wise and true.

White's own later estimation of his work is, perhaps, most touching. In old age, when he was suffering from Alzheimer's, White liked to have his own essays and books read to him. Sometimes, White would ask who wrote what he was listening to, and his chief reader, his son Joe, would tell him, "You did, Dad." Sims says White "would think about this odd fact for a moment and sometimes murmur, 'Not bad.' "

The Story of Charlotte's Web

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Meryl Streep Wants to Tell You a Bedtime Story

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By Raphael Simon

• Nov. 11, 2019

CHARLOTTE’S WEB By E.B. White Read by Meryl Streep and a full cast

DR. SEUSS’S HORSE MUSEUM By Dr. Seuss Read by Samira Wiley

Turn off your sound machine. Throw away that blankie. Meryl Streep has bedtime covered tonight.

Yes, Hollywood’s perennial gold statue-holder is reading “Charlotte’s Web,” the perennial blue-ribbon winner at the state fair of children’s literature. And, no surprise, this new audiobook is a keeper.

Some children’s books are disheartening to revisit as an adult; the author’s prejudices suddenly glaring, the prose surprisingly flat. Not so with E. B. White’s 1952 story about a brave little pig and the clever spider who saves him. If “Charlotte’s Web” is disheartening, it is only because the book is so perfect. After reading it, you can’t help feeling that it is pointless to continue in your chosen career — assuming, like me, you happen to be a children’s book author.

What makes this “radiant” but “humble” story (to borrow Charlotte’s words for Wilbur) so very, very wonderful? Maybe it has something to do with all those big themes, like, oh, the passage of time and the inexorability of death, wrapped up in small packages. Or maybe it’s the way the animals seem so deeply human and yet so true to their species at the same time.

Like many city kids, I got my first exposure to farm living through “Charlotte’s Web” — to slops and manure piles and barn swings. It taught me what happens to an unhatched egg, and about the types of thread that shoot from a spider’s abdomen. It also taught me about writing.

Among other things, the book is a sly tribute to the writer’s craft. Wilbur may be the beloved runt piglet the human girl Fern rescues from her farmer father’s ax, but it is Charlotte, the spider spinning the story’s words, who is its real star. Imagine, writing so powerful it saves a life! As Mrs. Zuckerman says to her husband, who is now besotted with their pet pig: “It seems to me you’re a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider.”

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E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web book review

E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web book review: This a classic children’s book in English Literature.  A must-read for all fresh young minds.

Wilbur, the pig, is scared because it is the end of the season and he knows his fate is the dinner table as the main course.

A gentle and wise gray spider, Charlotte, with a flair for marketing pledges to save him from being slaughtered for dinner.

She develops a plan to save the little pig.

Along the way, they have some wacky adventures and make some new friends. Everything grows into becoming a wonderful children’s tale.

Born in Mount Vernon, New York, where he attended public schools, E. B. White graduated from Cornell University in 1921. After some years, he joined the staff of, then an infant, The New Yorker magazine as a writer and essayist. In 1938 Mr. White moved to a country farm in Maine, where animals inspired his stories and books.

White received many honors, awards, and commendations during his career as a writer and died in 1985.

Being such a classic and important book, a “ Charlotte’s Web” book review would never be complete without a story structure analysis. At least a simple one.

Wilbur gets too big, and she has to sell him to Uncle Homer, whose farm is full of good friends. The best one being the gray spider, Charlotte.

One day Wilbur learns that eventually, bacon will again be his future.

Charlotte comes to the rescue with a plan to save Wilbur’s life.

She tries to convince people that Wilbur is a special pig.

Wilbur wins a special prize at the county fair, becomes a star and is safe for good.

Tragically, Charlotte is old and dying. Spiders don’t last long. She’s produced a sac of 514 eggs that Wilbur, in retribution, is going to save by taking them to the farm, while Charlotte dies alone at the fairgrounds.

When spring comes, Wilbur has lots of new spider friends that will keep leaving new egg, and he will never be lonely again.

Charlotte’s Web Book Review

Charlotte’s Web is a great engaging book. Told in the third person, the story takes us to a time when life was simpler. The domestic family environment takes us back to a time before progress made our lives unstoppable.

The author takes us to a farm full of wonder for every age.

I read it first as a pre-teen while attending the São Paulo Graded School and was moved by it. This book is for those who love life and the simple things it can present to you.

Beautiful black and white illustrations enhance the storytelling, but I would prefer color. Maybe I will create some digital paintings inspired by this wonderful tale.

This a fun book to read that keeps us alert all the time, craving for the next page turn.

I suggest that parents encourage their kids to read such classics as this one. No one should grow up without them.

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Book Review: Charlotte's Web

While it may be considered a children's book, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White lives up to its name as a classic. The simple story provides for a light and easy read, while still providing an elegantly woven story. The characters, while not super developed, are jocular and entertaining, and still preserve the sort-of dramatic side of the book. The friendly relationship between Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig soon turns into a matter of life and death, allowing for many twists and turns throughout the book. Though simple, the book also has several deeper meanings (I won’t spoil them), allowing for speculation among its audience. The fun in discovering what E.B. White could have meant in just one of the book's lines may very well be the entire hook of the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone, no matter what their age is. There’s always fun to be had in a book, whether it be hidden or minuscule.

Reviewer Grade: 8th

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• Apr 5, 2020

A Book Review on "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Updated: Feb 1, 2023

“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White is one of the best books I’ve ever read. In fact, I would go so far as to say it's the best children's chapter book of all time. Believe it or not, I had never read “Charlotte’s Web” before now (which saddens me greatly)! I can't help but think of all the years I've missed out on this book. It’s a classic for a reason, and there’s not much I can say about this novel that hasn’t already been said. The characters grow and mature throughout the novel, giving it this wonderfully nostalgic and realistic feel, and it’s not often that the ending of a book genuinely surprises me, but this one truly did. I love this book and I can't wait to read it to my child. It will always have a permanent spot on my bookshelf.

Recommended Age Group?

I would recommend this book to everyone, kids and adults alike, but the age

group that would benefit most from White’s wonderful words would be children aged 9-12 (grades 3-6). Some children may have a difficult time with the idea of killing animals for food, as this isn’t something that is overly talked about, but it definitely opens the door for discussion. Younger children might also have difficulty understanding some of the dynamic vocabulary, as this book was originally published in 1952. However, I wouldn't let the age of this book or the trickier vocabulary stop you from reading it to younger grades, as there is still so much children can glean from incredible characters and heart-wrenching story.

This book is filled with important themes. It teaches us about life, death, growing up and time spent. It hones in on the value of friendship, self-care, and how we should treat others. I was absolutely in awe of how E.B. White could fit so much wisdom in such a short novel, and I have a feeling that much of his wisdom will come in handy as I raise my children.

Classroom Approved?

This book is definitely classroom approved! I'm sure you'll have a great time reading this book to any grade, but children below grade 3 are probably a bit young to understand all of the themes and 1950s vocabulary.

Check out our Novel Study for

"charlotte's web”.

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Punk-Ass Book Jockey

Review: “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White

Release Date: 1952 Publisher: Harper Collins Genre: Children’s Literature

Description

“ Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter. ” (via Goodreads )

My Thoughts

I’ve read E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web more times than I can count. As I kid I read it over and over and over again, I loved it that much. Most of my adult re-reads have been attempts at reliving childhood nostalgia. This time, however, I had my reviewer hat on. What surprised me the most was the depth and thoughtfulness of the novel, nuances which had somehow eluded me even after thirty plus years of engaging with it.

And Charlotte’s Web is deep. The novel is more than a twee tale about a charming piglet and loquacious spider. It’s about being open-minded and big-hearted toward those who are different from you. It’s about helping those in need not just because it’s morally right but because it’s the kind thing to do. Charlotte is the extreme example of these two related themes, but the other farm animals demonstrate them as well. As selfish as Templeton the rat is, he never descends to cruelty. He isn’t caring, but he understands the difference between right and wrong. He may not like teamwork, but he knows the farm ecosystem will collapse without his participation.

The book is also about growing up. Fern and Wilbur open the novel doting on each other, but by the end both are living separate lives, Fern with her first crush and Wilbur with Charlotte’s descendants. Once Wilbur’s fate is secure, she’s able to let go of childhood fancies and face her own future. Charlotte mothers Wilbur, but once she’s gone it’s Wilbur who must become the parent to her children. He has real responsibility for the first time, and like Fern grows into his more mature role.

White also doesn’t shy away from heavier topics. Death looms heavily over the story, from Wilbur becoming bacon to Charlotte wasting away to the goose’s rotten egg. As adults, the goose and Charlotte are prepared for death and recognize it as a fact of life, something young Wilbur reluctantly learns. Wilbur teaches kids that it’s ok to be frightened of dying but not to be scared of death itself. Everyone dies eventually, but you can’t let it stop you from living your best life. Charlotte knows from the beginning she won’t live to see the winter, but she never lets it slow her down. Wilbur faces his fear of dying, and even though Mr. Zuckerman spares his life Wilbur knows his time will come eventually. He’s reminded of this every fall as Charlotte’s descendants die off and leave him their egg sacs filled with the next generation of friendly arachnids.

Lastly, I can’t forget to highlight Garth Williams’ lovely, understated illustrations. Each illustration is intricate yet unassuming, full of compelling expressions and playful tones. They were even more enjoyable than I remembered.

Charlotte’s Web is one of those books that I fall in love with a little more every time I read it. If somehow you’ve managed to not read it yet (or haven’t read it since you were little), now’s the time to pick it up.

“Can I have a pig, too, Pop?” asked Avery. “No, I only distribute pigs to early risers,” said Mr. Arable. “Fern was up at daylight, trying to rid the world of injustice. As a result, she now has a pig. A small one, to be sure, but nevertheless a pig. It just shows what can happen if a person gets out of bed promptly. Let’s eat!”

Do the world a favor and buy this from an indie bookstore or get it from your local public library.

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Book Review: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ and a commentary on loss

February 12, 2021 by Gracyn McGathy

“‘Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.’”

Charlotte’s Web finds me in the impenetrable darkness of these harrowing times. It is a book I’d like a friend to read to me on my deathbed – a story that redeems humanity while condemning the finality of death.

Here is why you must indulge yourself in it: I refute the idea that E.B. White’s book was made for children. Sure, farm animals typically make appearances in media geared towards adolescents – but White’s creatures are mere catalysts for a very mature message. Quite frankly, I doubt a child could pick out the hidden motifs and commentaries on premature loss and the grieving process. It’s a work that speaks to the unfair nature of death, the cruelty of its timing, and the difficulty of accepting it. Naturally, these are concepts even mature adults wrestle with. Thus, I think it’s improper to boil White’s novel down to a mere bedtime story. 

I’d wager a few things about you, reader. Most likely, your parents forced you to endure Charlotte’s Web as a child – the plot was simple, the story easy to devour. I’d also make the assumption that death confuses you.

You know it must happen eventually, but you fail to understand its sporadic sense of justice. It’s a cruel pill to swallow to acknowledge the inevitability of life’s ending while also knowing that most of the time, it is unfair.

Charlotte’s Web captures this dynamic and portrays it through the friendship of Wilbur and Charlotte. Wilbur, like most of us, does not understand why Charlotte must die. Despite the fact that her lifespan was designed by nature to be significantly shorter than Wilbur’s, he cannot help but apply his own moral expectation to her impending loss (I.E she was a good friend, therefore she doesn’t deserve to die).

This is a representation of how humanity often projects its own ethical standards onto ambiguous natural events: a coping mechanism to create some sort of senseful meaning in the midst of loss. Oftentimes, we will find that this comparison leads us nowhere good. I’d like to lead with an example.

I had a conversation with a friend recently whose mother was diagnosed with cancer. As I’ve found out, many of my peers carry around heavy burdens like this on the daily and handle them with unfathomable grace. In the process of talking to her, I expressed how sorry I was to hear the news of her mother’s diagnosis, a common response to tragedies outside of our control.

She asked, “Why? It isn’t a good or bad thing. It’s just happening. It just is.” It just is. I’m not sure what kind of maturity or strength it took for her to believe that her circumstances were not a reflection of how good of a person she was, or how kind or fit or smart her own mother was, but rather an ambiguous, natural event that was simply happening .

So much of life is composed of choices we didn’t make, circumstances we didn’t choose. The epiphany I’m not so subtly hacking at is that whatever prerogative we think we are owed by God, or any higher power really, is a reflection of our flawed sense of justice.

The universe (and by this I mean the natural chain of events) does not operate on a causation/effect basis. In fact, it’s fair to say that at best, we can describe the world as organized chaos. All of this to say that loss is a natural part of life, but it is not a measuring tool for how “good,” we have been – only we can decide that.

Good things are not generational, they are eternal. John Steinbeck once said, “evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal.”

What makes Charlotte’s Web such an extraordinary book is that it gives meaning to Wilbur’s loss. Charlotte dies after laying her eggs, leaving behind a part of herself in her children. In a sense, Charlotte never truly passes away because she is present through the new life she has created.

This is true for all things – when you love someone, they stay alive in your heart. You see them in all of the beautiful things: pink skies, daisies on the side of the road, children playing games on the street. White seems to have an understanding that I find most people lack: bereavement loses its permanence when love intercedes.

Love is the common denominator in loss – the exception to the long-standing rule of “death do us part,” a notion that suggests love is not a spiritual act, but one of the flesh, fallible to age and decay.

Let it be said that love and affection are not elements that death can touch – they are immortal, transcendent, generational. 

About Gracyn McGathy

Gracyn is a Sophomore Journalism student at ACU.

Other Features:

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Charlotte's Web by EB White

Fern Arable lives with her mother, father and brother on their small farm. When her father decides to ‘do away’ with the runt of the piglet litter Fern takes it upon herself to raise the small piglet herself and names him Wilbur. When Wilbur gets too big for the Arable’s land he goes to live with the Zuckerman’s, Fern’s Aunt and Uncle, in their barn where Fern can visit the pig she has grown to love. Although Fern visits as much as she can, she and Wilbur are not together as often. Wilbur starts to feel quite lonely in the big barn, that is until he meets Charlotte, a beautiful big grey spider who lives above Wilbur in the doorway of the barn. Wilbur and Charlotte soon become firm friends and when the old sheep tells of the plot the Zuckerman’s have to fatten Wilbur up for their Christmas dinner Charlotte hatches a plan to save Wilbur’s life that amazes and astounds the whole town!

A book that children can fall in love with. There is such affection and humour in this story and the characters are so well written, including not so loveable rogue Templeton the rat but it is Charlotte you can’t help but love and admire. It shows children what true friendship is and that nothing else is quite as important as the love and loyalty of a best friend.

The illustrations by Garth Williams also add to the enjoyment to the story and are not so frequent as to be intrusive.

The main message of the book remains timeless but there are some passages where the language and references have dated a little, which has been reflected in the score but overall this should not detract from any child’s enjoyment of the story and this is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend.

Unashamedly sentimental, this book leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

• Buy on Amazon

Review by Floresiensis

20 positive reader review(s) for Charlotte's Web

EB White biography

Charlotte from USA

So sad and nice and sweet.

Vedaanr from India

Reya Sara from Bahrain

It is an amazing book to read. I read this book for many days and this is my most favourite book.

Ananya from India

I LOVED THIS BOOK BUT BTW I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT someone actually asked us people the answer for their project!

Anon from UK

This book is fantastic!!!! My faviourite characters are Charlotte, Wilbur and Fern. this book is super super fun and touch, though. this is the second best book I had read!!!

Maya from Canada

Great book!

Isabella from Illinios, US

The book left me with a different feeling about spiders and how amazing they could be and it just changed how I see animals now. I have been a vegetarian for 3 years now and my friends told me that after reading this book that they see why I became vegetarian in the 1st place. I feel like people who aren't vegetarian are sick because they enjoy eating animals when they are being taken out of their home and killed for us to enjoy. So if you aren't vegetarian then just remember that means that you enjoy eating suffered and killed animals. So in all you enjoy it when people go and just kill these poor animals and take them away from their families and their home. How would you like it if animals did that to you. Would you like it if animals took us away from our families and friends and home, just for them to enjoy us. So next time you go to eat meat think about what I just asked you.

Oishani from India

Very good read .😍

Gordon from Hong Kong

It is an interesting book and it's worth reading. We can understand more about how to communicate with others.

Rumman from Bangladesh

I really enjoyed reading the book. It makes us understand what friendship is.

Emma from No

I loved the review and found it so amusing at parts the book was an absolute blast and I am not the type of person known for reading. I love the beautiful drawings incorporated with the creative way E.B White words the whole story and then strings it together with creative and imaginative twists. The story really gets you to step inside Wilbur's [the pigs] shoes. The story gets you to really understand the everyday life of a pig. The story also gets you to see how phenomenal the spiders web is. You would think that this outstanding book would be forgotten because of the 21st century books, but it holds its own and is even better and informative than the books now!

Sofia Rose from US

It's a great book. It's the end which made me sad. I only read this book for school, I normally won't read books but this one I fell in love with! I really like it and the movie!!

Sherry from Myanmar

This book is amazing, it gives the moral about life, death, and friendship. It is perfect for kids, teens and adults even. It is even more interesting because animals are included and Fern knows what animals in the barn are talking about.

Shahmeer Asim from Pakistan

I loved this book because of the message and the humor and all the things in the story including the part when wilbur was at fern's home and the things they did together

Aravind from India

Fantastic book my sis and bros.

Piyush from India

It's a very good book not too boring like many of the others I read. Well finding a spider like that is nearly not possible but a friend like is also not like that.. N😊😊

Great book.

This is a great book. It’s a book for all ages, the young and old. I highly recommend this book.

Sweet ,sober , interesting and meaningful

Arya from India

Puleng from Gauteng,South Africa

Oh! Wow... This book is AWESOME ...I like it... I loved every moment of this book , I would recommend this book to any reader over 10 or 11 . I give this book 10 over 10 as it was great..

Kynli Sky from OK

I love the book.

Nisha from Tamil Nadu

This book was awesome... I really like this book. Yes, of course through this we learn lots of things.... plz anyone do one favour for me... I took this book for my project I almost complete but now I'm confusing about conclusion can u help for me?

Jasmine from New York

Charlotte's Web is a book you must read. It shows the true meaning of friends, loyalty, and trust. I also I liked the movie.

Ariana from US

This the best. It is nice to read about a runty pig that grows and finds a friend!!

Ivan from Hong Kong

Great. Awesome!

Katie from Buffalo

I need to find out if Charlottes Web is fantasy or myth legend fairy tale.

Addie from Ohio, US

This book is about a pig named Wilbur and he is going to get killed in the winter and his friend Charlotte saves his life this is the real meaning of friendship. Read Charlotte's Web.

Gayatri from New Delhi

Anne-Marie from England

You should check out this book - it is about a fantastic pig and a spider. I especially like the movie.

Claire from Shawnee, KS, USA

The story, the writing, and the emotional, inevitable ending all spoke to me as a child, and this is a book that pleases adults as well. One of its greatest treasures is the permission it gives for kids to be alone, unstructured, whiling away the hours as Fern does in the barnyard. Fern's mother is so sure there's something wrong with her--but she's perfectly right. Kids need to hear that today, too. Life isn't all homework and music lessons and sports practices and texting. Sometimes it's just letting your imagination soar.

9.7 /10 from 32 reviews

All EB White Reviews

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Charlotte's Web

By e.b. white.

'Charlotte’s Web' is a much-loved children's novel written by E.B. White and published in 1952. It follows Wilbur the pig, and Charlotte the spider. 

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

Although it received less than ideal praise when it was first released, today, it is regarded as one of the best children’s novels ever written. It utilizes personified farm animals, including a rat, a spider, and Wilbur, the pig. They all work together in an effort to save Wilbur from his upcoming Christmas fate.

Spoiler-Free Summary 

The novel follows Wilbur, the pig who, when he’s born, is the smallest of his litter. The farmer’s daughter, Fern, saves him and takes care of him until he’s too old to live with the family, and her parents become concerned that she’s spending too much time with animals and not enough time with her peers. He moves into a new home on a new farm and eventually learns a startling fate.

He won’t be allowed to live out his days in peace, instead, he and the other farm animals need to find a way to prevent the Zuckerman family from slaughtering Wilbur at Christmas. They come up with a creative solution that changes the way the farmers see their animals.

The novel is well-loved for its depiction of friendship, love, and the importance of helping those in need. Today, it’s read by children and adults around the world and has been the source of inspiration for television shows and films. 

Full Summary of Charlotte’s Web

Spoiler alert: important details of the novel are revealed below.

When the novel begins, a young eight-year-old girl named Fern saves a runt pig on her parents’ farm. She stops her parents from killing the small creature, chastising them for wanting to kill an animal just because it’s smaller and weaker than its siblings. She names the pig Wilbur and takes care of him until he is too big. He’s sold to the Zuckerman’s who owns a nearby farm. They buy him for six dollars, and Fern visits him as often as she can.

Wilbur and Fern get older, and Wilbur feels bored and friendless without his young human companion. Soon, he meets a spider named Charlotte, who lives on the web above Wilbur’s pen. He’s excited to have someone to talk to but also notices how different they are from one another.

Wilbur seems to be the only one on the farm who doesn’t realize that his owners are planning to slaughter him for Christmas dinner. Soon, summer arrives, and Fern continues to visit her pig friend. He’s growing larger, and finally, one of the sheep tells him that he’s going to be slaughtered to make ham and bacon. Wilbur is, of course, terrified and hopes that someone will save him from his fate. 

Charlotte, the spider, decides that she is going to come up with a plan to save Wilbur. She destroys part of her web and starts remaking it with a specific message aimed at the farmers. She writes out the words “Some pig!” in the web.

Everyone on the farm is astonished by this event, and people come from all over the country to see Wilbur. The farm animals work to think of more words to write in Charlotte’s Web. She eventually uses the word “terrific” and people arrive from the surrounding areas to see Wilbur. Inspired by paper ads, she also writes the word “radiant.” 

Near the end of summer, all the characters go to a fair, including Charlotte and Templeton the rat, who hide themselves in Wilbur’s crate so that they can accompany him. Charlotte builds the web above Wilbur’s pen, and they all make friends with another pig named uncle. Templeton brings back a scrap of newspaper with the word “humble” as inspiration for Charlotte. 

The next morning, Charlotte is revealed to have made an egg sack with 514 eggs. She knows that she probably won’t survive to meet her children. It’s also discovered that Uncle has won first prize at the fair.

Wilbur eventually receives a special third-place medal and faints from excitement. Charlotte tells Wilbur that she’s going to die soon, and Wilbur asks Templeton to retrieve her egg sack from Wilbur’s crate. The next day Charlotte passes away. 

Back at the farm with the egg sac, Wilbur takes care of it throughout the winter until tiny spiders begin crawling out of it. Each young spider eventually moves away from Wilbur’s stall, except for three of Charlotte’s daughters, who decide to stay with Wilbur and be his friend. They continue to reproduce, creating a cycle of spider-pig friendships that last for years. 

What is Charlotte’s Web about? 

Charlotte’s Web tells the story of a young pig named Wilbur, who is saved from certain death by a resourceful spider named Charlotte. The book follows Wilbur and Charlotte’s friendship as they find creative ways to keep Wilbur safe from Farmer Zuckerman.

 Is Charlotte’s Web suitable for all ages?

Charlotte’s Web is suitable for readers of all ages. While it has some more mature themes, its message of friendship, loyalty, and courage is appropriate for readers of all ages.

Who wrote Charlotte’s Web ?

Charlotte’s Web was written by E.B. White, who was born in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1899. It was first published in 1952 and is considered to be E.B. White’s masterpiece. But he also wrote other children’s novels, like Stuart Little , that are also loved by young readers around the world.

Why is Charlotte’s Web important? 

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is an important work of literature for its timeless and powerful story about friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. It teaches valuable lessons about love and acceptance, as well as the importance of helping those in need and standing up for what is right.

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About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

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Charlotte's web.

• Parents say (40)
• Kids say (57)

Based on 40 parent reviews

Does contain sexist ideas of how girls should behave and dress (for boys' attention)

Report this review, a wonderful book that many miss the strength of.

This title has:

• Educational value
• Great messages

My daughter's (9 y/o) review

• Great role models

Great Family Reading-Time Book!

Heartwarming tale that everyone can enjoy.

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Buy P.when("A", "a-expander", "ready").execute(function(A, expander) { A.on("a:accordion:buybox-accordion:select", function(data) { // Change active accordion pricing to APEX pricing A.$("#buyBoxAccordion").find(".accordion-header div#adbl_bb_price") .removeClass("adbl_bb_price_show").addClass("adbl_bb_price_hide"); A.$(data.selectedRow.$row).find(".accordion-header div#adbl_bb_price") .removeClass("adbl_bb_price_hide").addClass("adbl_bb_price_show"); //initialize accordion expander expander.initializeExpanders(); }); }); /* Display price in a table block so it does not overflow, ref: https://t.corp.amazon.com/D76383263 */ #adbl_bb_price { display: table; } /* APEX Pricing for Mobile & MobileApp */ .adbl_bb_price_show .adbl_bb_savings_percent { color: #CC0C39; font-size: 36px; font-weight: 300; } .adbl_bb_price_hide .adbl_bb_savings_percent { color: #CC0C39; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 300; } .adbl_bb_pay_price { font-weight: 400; } .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-whole { font-size: 38px; } .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-whole { font-size: 24px; } .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-symbol, .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-fraction { display: table-caption; font-size: 15px !important; line-height: 26px; } .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-symbol, .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-fraction { display: table-caption; font-size: 13px !important; line-height: 10px; } #mobile_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-symbol, #mobile_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block !important; top: -15px !important; } #mobile_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-symbol, #mobile_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block !important; } #mobileapp_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-symbol, #mobileapp_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block !important; top: -15px !important; } #mobileapp_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-symbol, #mobileapp_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block !important; } /* APEX Pricing for Desktop */ #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .adbl_bb_savings_percent { color: #CC0C39; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 300; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .adbl_bb_savings_percent { color: #CC0C39; font-size: 21px; font-weight: 300; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_pay_price { font-weight: 400; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-whole { font-size: 28px; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-whole { font-size: 21px; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-symbol, #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_show .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block; font-size: 13px !important; line-height: 16px; top:-10px !important; } #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-symbol, #desktop_buybox .adbl_bb_price_hide .a-price-fraction { display: inline-block; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 9px; } -13% $11.81 $ 11 . 81

Sorry, there was a problem., charlotte's web audible audiobook – unabridged.

Brought to life by Meryl Streep and a full cast, this beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan , is a classic of children's literature that is "just about perfect" ( New York Times ).

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spider web tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Includes an appreciation written and read by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet, the cover artist of this edition and author/illustrator of Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White .

Narrated by Meryl Streep, featuring:

January LaVoy as Charlotte

Kirby Heyborne as Wilbur

MacLeod Andrews as Templeton

With additional performances by:

Mark Bramhall as Lurvy

Scott Brick as the Minister

Cassandra Campbell as Edith Zuckerman

Danny Campbell as Homer Zuckerman

Mark Deakins as Mr. Arable

Kimberly Farr as Mrs. Arable

Tavia Gilbert as the Goose

Dion Graham as the Gander

Almarie Guerra as Nellie

Johnny Heller as the Fair Announcer

Lincoln Hoppe as Avery

Raymond Lee as the Baby Spider

Robin Miles as the Old Sheep

Adenrele Ojo as Aranea

Ray Porter as Uncle the Pig

Emily Rankin as Fern

John Rubinstein as Dr. Dorian

Bahni Turpin as the Lamb

Julia Whelan as Joy

• Listening Length 4 hours and 2 minutes
• Author E. B. White, see all
• Narrator Meryl Streep, see all
• Audible release date October 29, 2019
• Language English
• Publisher Listening Library
• ASIN B07S2TMG5F
• Version Unabridged
• Program Type Audiobook
• See all details

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Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 89% 7% 2% 1% 1% 89%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 89% 7% 2% 1% 1% 7%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 89% 7% 2% 1% 1% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 89% 7% 2% 1% 1% 1%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 89% 7% 2% 1% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book very moving, with amazing detail and unforgettable characters. They also describe the content as entertaining, with good lessons to teach. Readers say it makes a great gift and holds their attention. They say it's well-written and not difficult to read on their own. Opinions are mixed on the color, with some finding it nice to have colored pictures, while others say it was not in color.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book a great read especially for children. They also say the characters are quirky and love the creativity. Readers also mention that the book holds their attention well.

"...It's a beautifully written story that captivates young readers . Highly recommend!" Read more

"...The vivid imagery and thoughtful storytelling make it a delightful read for children while offering deeper layers of meaning for adult readers...." Read more

"... Classic reading ." Read more

"...It holds her attention , it is beautifully written, and the sentence structure is easy to read aloud...." Read more

Customers find the book well-written, easy to read, and believable. They also say it's a great book for beginning readers, with a word wise feature that helps them understand new words. Readers also appreciate the brilliant simplicity and humor that relieve the sweetness. They say the emotions and imagery are fantastic, and it'll be easy for them to root for.

"...It's a beautifully written story that captivates young readers. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...It holds her attention, it is beautifully written , and the sentence structure is easy to read aloud...." Read more

" Brilliant simplicity with enough humor to relieve the sweetness - a top of the heap favorite every child - and adult should read..." Read more

" Kind of hard for my granddaughter to read at 8yrs old" Read more

Customers find the book has good lessons to teach, and the teacher in them loves the vocabulary. They say it's an absorbent book that's helpful for everyone, with meaningful morals and important values. Readers also say the book is inviting to listen to and opens the door to difficult and sometimes painful subjects.

"...prose not only brings these characters to life but also imparts valuable life lessons in a way that is both touching and profound...." Read more

"Very Fast Shipping and very easy reading book " Read more

"...😂 As well, its good mother and son bonding and conversation . So he can't wait for me to read a chapter or 2 before he goes to sleep!..." Read more

"...I feel as though this book is full of meaningful morals and is appropriate reading material to be used in a classroom setting...." Read more

Customers find the book great, with imagination and friendship. They also say the story is moving, with a beautiful story of kindness, love, hope, and self sacrifice. Readers also mention the theme is wonderful, bringing them back to childhood. They say the book is interesting, suspenseful, and inventive.

"...narrative and unforgettable characters, beautifully weaves together themes of friendship , compassion, and the circle of life...." Read more

"...A heartwarming story of friendship ! My favorite children’s book of all time and I have read many!" Read more

"Arrived in great condition. A lovely book that brought me back to childhood . My year-old daughter loved it." Read more

"A very inventive author , my wife & I had fun reading it to each other!" Read more

Customers find the book entertaining, filled with humor, adventure, and family values. They also mention that it makes them happy, sad, scared, and excited.

"Brilliant simplicity with enough humor to relieve the sweetness - a top of the heap favorite every child - and adult should read..." Read more

"...I know this is a book specifically for kids, but it brings me happiness and fun when reading this novel as well!!..." Read more

"...'s Web, children are able to develop and expand their imagination in a fun , safe, and believable manner that is key to social and academic..." Read more

"...Each time I have found this book funnier , more emotionally powerful, and more full of fundamental "truths" about what is truly important..." Read more

Customers find the book to be a great gift.

"This is a beautiful gift for any youngster that you love." Read more

"This book is a wonderful classic and came in perfect, giftable condition ." Read more

"One of my favorite stories and a perfect gift . Arrived so quickly!" Read more

"...Very nice for little hands and makes a neat little gift . My daughter loves it." Read more

Customers find the characters in the book unforgettable.

"...This heartwarming tale, with its enchanting narrative and unforgettable characters , beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, compassion,..." Read more

"...The book is full of compassionate characters like Fern and Charlotte who are easy to root for, and any insightful reader will be left with a..." Read more

"...It still makes me cry. The characters are lovely and it makes you long to return home, or to your grandparents. Love this story." Read more

"...The characters are memorable , the plot remarkable, and words easily readable. I hope I have the time in the future to read this book again...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the color of the book. Some find the pictures nice and printed on bright paper with clear ink, while others say that the book was not in color and the pages are yellow.

"...My son loves it and likes that there are occasionally illustrations ." Read more

"...Because, the illustrations are infrequent, not very good and and have no color . But $88 was not really an option." Read more

"...There's detailed black and white illustrations every couple of pages. My seven year old practices reading some from it every night too...." Read more

"...The book itself is well made, hard cover with the original illustrations included ...." Read more

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