An affectionate pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, White reminds readers to open their eyes to the wonder and miracle found in the simplest of things. (Goodreads)
Reviewed by Sarah, old-fashioned girl at heart
CHARLOTTE'S WEB is a delightful book about compassion, love, acceptance, and
barnyard life. Wilbur the pig has had a rough go of it right from the
start; as the runt of the litter he is saved from euthanasia via ax by his
owner’s daughter, Fern. After basking in Fern’s loving and attentive care
for 5 weeks he is sold to her uncle down the road. In his new home he
pines for Fern and longs for company. When Charlotte the
spider befriends him his troubles appear to be over, until he discovers the
fate of farm pigs ends on the farmer’s plate. Charlotte’s ingenious plan
to save him amuses and warms the heart.
Charlotte and Wilbur are some of the most delightful characters ever
penned. Charlotte is wise, kind, loving, patient and humorous. She
also has a lovely sense of humor. Wilbur is a rather shy, insecure,
tenderhearted pig, and these qualities cause him some heartache. In
addition to these central two, the barn abounds with quirky characters:
Templeton, the deliciously selfish rat; the garrulous goose, gander and
goslings; and the cynical sheep.
I read this book to my sister when she was a preschooler, and later to my own
children. A note of warning if you plan to read aloud; practice your
animal voices thoroughly and be prepared to read the second to last chapter
with a tight throat and teary eyes. Because just like ‘real life,’ this
magical book is a combination of fear and joy, humor and sorrow, love and
loss.
Market: Children’s Literature
Language: Wholesome; somewhat vocabulary expanding for children
Violence: None
Sensuality: None
Mature
themes: death, self-sacrifice
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