Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
Author: E. B. White
My Rating: 7.5/10
Length: 184 Pages
Description
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." Named one of America’s top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS’s The Great American Read.
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.
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. It contains illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White's Stuart Little and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, among many other books.
Whether enjoyed in the classroom or for homeschooling or independent reading, Charlotte's Web is a proven favorite.
The Book In 3 Sentences
The story centers on a pig named Wilbur and the unlikely but deep friendship he shares with an uncommonly talented spider named Charlotte. Friendship and love are the central themes of Charlotte's Web. It is through the love of Fern and Charlotte that Wilbur is able to go on living, both in the beginning of the novel and in its ending.
Death and destiny are both themes that the book explores. While Charlotte is willing to help Wilbur dodge a destiny that's being imposed on him by outside forces beyond his control, she also understands that some fates are inevitable: All living creatures are born, have a life cycle, and die.
Love and friendship are not finite in quantity. While we may lose a friend, new friendships can come along, not as replacements for what we've lost, but as blessings to build on what we've learned.
Who Should Read It?
If it has come to your attention that you have missed out on some childhood classics - start here.
If you have young children, I can’t think of a better book to read out loud at night and create a bedtime ritual around.
If you are dealing with losing a loved one, this book can help. The ending of Charlotte's Web is bittersweet because while Wilbur survives, Charlotte does not. But even Charlotte's passing is a lesson—for Wilbur and those reading his story—about the nature of death and renewal.
How The Book Changed Me
I still can't read Charlotte's Web without shedding a tear or two, not at the tragedy, but at the beauty of friendship.
One of my teacher friends warned me, I bet you can’t finish the last chapter without crying. She was right. It was perfect!
I started getting tired of personal development and business books and wanted a change. For some reason, I always had a fond memory of the children's books I read as I was growing up and I wanted to revisit them to see what I loved about them.
Charlotte's Web blew me away. It’s an incredibly charming, sensitive book about a young pig who learns about friendship and the realities of the world from a kind and clever spider. I was struck by how much wisdom it contained.
Along with the illustrations, I forgot how fun picture books could be! The sketches really engaged my imagination in a different way.
This book changed me in a few ways:
It was wonderful reliving my childhood again, this book did that so well. Like an old song or scent that reminds you of a nostalgic memory, this book did that for me.
As adults, friendships get complicated and messy. But the relationship between Wilbur and Charlotte was so honest that it reminds you of the true nature of friendship and how it should always be - simple.
My Top 3 Quotes
"If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs." - E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
“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.” - E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing." - E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
If you’ve read the book, this quote will make you feel some time of way:
"Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.” - E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
Best Big Ideas
Please Note: The following is a collection of highlights taken straight from the book and online resources. Most of them are direct quotes. Some are paraphrases. Very few are my own words.
Celebrate and Make the Most of Life
Wilbur is saved from an untimely death by Fern and likes to spend quiet time thinking about what is is like to be alive. In the background of the story is the nature world in its constant state of life, death, and replenishment from year to year and generation to generation.
Charlotte ponders, “After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” Life is precious, wonderful and beautiful, especially when it is well-lived.
Realize the Importance of True Friends
Friendship is certainly the foundation of the novel. Fern’s love for Wilbur saved him, and Charlotte taught Wilbur how to make and be a friend.
Charlotte’s life had a purpose because she saved his life and made him happy. The meaning and satisfaction of friendship is one of the greatest joys of life.
Appreciate Diversity
There are a variety of animals in Charlotte's Web: cows, sheep, geese, a horse, and even a rat. Even though they share the same space in the barn, they do not have any interest in becoming friends with one another. The animals do not trust what is different from their own kind.
Simple and kind Wilbur sees past the exterior appearances of the animals, and the friendship shared by Wilbur and Charlotte inspires the rest of the animals.
Ultimately, the barn animals work together as a team to help Wilbur and Charlotte. Although everyone has different appearances, cultural backgrounds, and customs, people are similar on the inside and have talents to contribute to the greater community.
Stay Humble
“Wilbur was modest; fame did not spoil him.” He maintained his lovable, kind personality, and everyone in the story liked him even more.
People respond well to humility because it shows that you place yourself at the same level as others, and not above them.
Cope with Loss, but Never Forget
After Charlotte died, Wilbur loved her children and grandchildren, but “none of the new spiders ever took her place in his heart”.
Fern grew up and stopped visiting the barn, but Wilber maintained his fondness for her, too.
Although life is not the same after a loss, memories remain unchanged.
Show Compassion Whenever Possible
Both Fern and Charlotte show tremendous compassion for Wilbur. Charlotte is even compassionate toward her victims, putting them to sleep before eating them so that they feel no pain.
Both great and small acts of compassion should be applied to our choices and actions.
Give People a Chance
Charlotte seems fierce, brutal, and bloodthirsty to Wilbur at first. He gives her a chance and learns that she is kindhearted, clever, and compassionate. Some people may seem rough around the edges on the outside, but they usually have endearing qualities on the inside.
My hope is that our students will hold on to this story as they grow up, always keeping in their hearts the lessons of friendship, life, and loss that will help them navigate through their lives and be better people.
When they are adults and have the urge to reread Charlotte's Web, perhaps with their own children, I hope they remember with fond memories the first time they read this classic story as students at Belle River Elementary.
