Charlottes web (1952)

This book was a big reason for me always wishing I could live on a farm... ( )

Independent Reading 7+
Awards: Newbery Honor Award 1953. The George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award. Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

I can't believe I've never read this book until now, but it's true. I read voraciously as a child but somehow never cracked open a copy of this children's classic. Still, better late than never. Charlotte's web is a beautiful and touching story, told with evocative and rich descriptions. It's mostly funny and lighthearted, but carries a strong moral themes, and touches on more serious topics like life and death without sugarcoating it.

I really like the way Charlotte's death was handled-- she dies after everyone leaves, quietly, with no one noticing-- after all, everyone dies alone. It's written about so plainly and simply that it underscores exactly what death is-- a life going out without drama surrounding it, very matter-of-fact, the way I think it should be. To see this written in a children's book was amazing.

Also, it made me think a lot about the lives of animals in particular. Farm animals, at least, have no choice in their lives; they are born and bred to be slaughtered and eaten, and that just seems too cruel a fate. I am by no means any sort of animal person, but E.B. White managed to make me care about Wilbur and Charlotte and their animal friends. ( )

“Life in the barn was very good- night and day, winter and summer, spring and fall, dull days and bright days. It was the best place to be, thought Wilbur, this warm delicious cellar, with the garrulous geese, the changing seasons, the heat of the sun, the passage of swallows, the nearness of rats, the sameness of sheep, the love of spiders, the smell of manure, and the glory of everything.”

This is one of the few children's books I currently own in traditional book form and I must admit I enjoyed the feeling of crisp paper between my fingers.

While the sweet story of a pig's unlikely friendship with a spider remains a perennial classic for kids, it also is appealing to adults. I had forgotten how much science and arachnid anatomy was incorporated into the story. White also gets in a few 'digs' at us humans. “Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.”

I cannot fail to mention Garth Williams adorable but mostly realistic illustrations. It would be difficult to imagine the story without the accompanying drawings.

Original date of publication: 1952
Newbery Medal Nominee ( )

very nice story of cute girl she protects the animal ( )