Charlotte's Web (1952)

Haven't read this since I was a child, and it is still so enjoyable. ( )

I read this book as a child, and I've never let go of its indelible characters, Wilber, the pig and Charlotte, the spider. A first book dealing with death for a middle grade audience or even younger, this chapter book is about true friendship and remains in my heart as it will in yours.

-Breton Kaiser Taylor ( )

I don't remember the book at all from my childhood, though I probably read it as a child (or had it read to me). I really liked it, as did my two sons (age 8, 5), especially the 8 year old.

I especially appreciated the role of Fern's mom and doctor pointing out the sexist expectations. I like Charlotte and that she just liked Wilbur. Wilbur himself wasn't particularly great, but I think that was the point. He was emotional, and just loved home and family. He mostly enjoyed his life, I liked that he did flips. I was a little disappointed that Fern, even at age 8 or maybe by the fair 9, was more interested in a boy then being with her pig on his special occasion. ( )

That Wilbur is Some Pig! :)

I have loved this classic children's story since I was 5 and the school librarian read it out loud to my school class. As an adult, this story is still one of my favorite feel-good stories. After listening to an audio book version read by author E.B. White himself....I love this story even more. White's yankee twang just added extra joy to the experience.

Wilbur is born a runt. Runty pigs are often too small and just die, so Farmer Arable is going to kill it. His 8-year old daughter Fern begs for the little newborn pig's life, and her father relents. She raises little Wilbur until he is big enough to sell. Then the growing pig is sold to Zuckerman's Farm, where he meets other farm animals and a spider named Charlotte who becomes his best friend. When Wilbur learns that he is being fattened up for slaughter, Charlotte promises to save his life. She ponders how to accomplish this.....and what she comes up with makes this lovely book a magical, memorable story.

I am not a fan of spiders, as a rule...but Charlotte is lovely. Her friendship with Wilbur shows that it doesn't matter what someone is on the outside. Friendship is based on what is inside.

The audio book version I listened from Books On Tape is narrated by the author and is about 4 hours long. I enjoyed listening while cooking dinner and doing housework. It made for a very enjoyable afternoon. I have hearing loss, but I was easily able to hear and understand this entire audio book.

Charlotte's Web is included in the list of 100 books for The Great American Read. It really is a sweet, classic children's story that millions of children and adults have enjoyed since its publication in 1952. This is the 12th book or series that I have read/re-read as part of GAR. So glad I did...this is just a lovely book! The list of books for The Great American Read is available here: http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/ It might take me a long time, but I want to read through the entire list. 12 down.....88 to go! ( )

Although this may be one of the saddest and heart-wrenching books I have read in my lifetime, I hold the deeper meaning close to my heart. The lessons that it taught me about friendship and bonding, as well as loss and sacrifice, have made me a more empathetic person. The main character, a young pig named Wilbur, learns about friendship, love and life from a wise spider named Charlotte. Without giving too much away, this is a classic book for many children to read and I would recommend that anybody who has not do so as soon as they can. ( )