Synopsis
A story of friendship, growth, death, and acceptance, CHARLOTTE'S WEB was E.B. White's second children's book. It tells the story of a pig named Wilbur, the runt of his litter, who is saved from an untimely death by Fern Arable, the 8-year-old daughter of a farmer. Hand-raised by Fern, Wilbur grows into a healthy young pig that Fern herself sells to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman, a farmer who lives nearby. Each day Fern visits with Wilbur, but her role as his best friend and nurturer is soon taken over by Charlotte, a wise spider who also lives in the barnyard. When Wilbur learns that he is being fattened up for slaughter, his despair moves Charlotte to promise him that she will do all she can to protect him from this fate. A no-nonsense but compassionate arachnid, Charlotte finds a unique way to let the world know that Wilbur is worthy of saving because he is indeed "SOME PIG." Best known as a contributor to The New Yorker and co-author of the writers' guide THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, E.B. White was inspired to write CHARLOTTE'S WEB by his own experiences as a gentleman farmer. CHARLOTTE'S WEB reflects his usual meticulous attention to detail, particularly in terms of Charlotte, who, despite having the ability to speak, is depicted in a realistic, almost scientific, manner. A true classic, CHARLOTTE'S WEB has helped several generations comprehend the concept of death and embrace the circle of life.
A timeless story of friendship, growth, death, and acceptance, CHARLOTTE'S WEB was E.B. White's second children's book. It tells the story of a pig named Wilbur, the runt of his litter, who is saved from an untimely death by Fern Arable, a spunky eight-year-old farmer's daughter. Hand-raised by Fern, Wilbur grows into a healthy young pig that Fern sells to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman, a farmer who lives nearby. Each day Fern lovingly visits with Wilbur, but her role as his best friend and nurturer is soon taken over by Charlotte, a wise spider who also lives in the barnyard. When Wilbur learns that he is being fattened up for slaughter, his despair moves Charlotte to promise him that she will do all she can to protect him from this fate. A no-nonsense but compassionate arachnid, Charlotte finds a unique way to let the world know that Wilbur is worthy of saving because he is indeed "SOME PIG."
Best known as a contributor to The New Yorker and co-author of the writers' guide THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, E.B. White was inspired to write CHARLOTTE'S WEB by his own experiences as a gentleman farmer. CHARLOTTE'S WEB reflects his usual meticulous attention to detail, particularly in terms of Charlotte, who, despite having the ability to speak, is depicted in a realistic, almost scientific, manner. A true classic, CHARLOTTE'S WEB has helped several generations comprehend the concept of death and embrace the circle of life.
Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte decides to help him.
Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1999-04-01 |
| Size | | Length: | 184 pages | | Height: | 7.5 in | | Width: | 5.3 in | | Thickness: | 0.5 in | | Weight: | 4.8 oz |
Publisher's Note
Beloved by generations, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little are two of the most cherished stories of all time. Now, for the first time ever, these treasured classics are available in lavish new collectors' editions. In addition to a larger trim size, the original black-and-white art by Garth Williams has been lovingly colorized by renowned illustrator Rosemary Wells, adding another dimension to these two perfect books for young and old alike. Whether you are returning once again to visit with Wilbur, Charlotte, and Stuart, or giving the gift of these treasured stories to a child, these spruced-up editions are sure to delight fans new and old. The interior design has been slightly moderated to give the books a fresh look without changing the original, familiar, and beloved format. Garth Williams's original black-and-white line drawings for the jacket of Stuart Little have also been newly colorized by the celebrated illustrator Rosemary Wells. These classics return with a new look, but with the same heartwarming tales that have captured readers for generations.
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur-and of Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to be quite a pig.
Industry Reviews
"[STUART LITTLE and CHARLOTTE'S WEB] appear to be headed for literary immortality in our times...The continuing and almost universal response of children...is the real tribute to the genius of E. B. White."
Chair, 1970 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Committee
"One of the most universally acclaimed books in contemporary children's literature...The author brings in wisdom and pathos in developing his theme of friendship within the cycle of life."
Jim Trelease
"The book has liveliness and felicity, tenderness and unexpectedness, grace and humor and praise of life, and the good backbone of succinctness that only the most highly imaginative stories seem to grow....As a piece of work it is just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done....an adorable book."
New York Times Book Review - Eudora Welty (10/19/1952)
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