Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White · first published 1952
37% recommend63% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A charming, funny, elegantly written children's novel that adults also enjoy on rereading. It serves as a model of clear, simple prose that illustrates the ideas of The Elements of Style.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Charlotte's Web is a book of children's literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams; it was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. The novel tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig") in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live.
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Many people recommend books that describe how to write using simple words. I recommend reading E. B. White's "Charlotte's Web". E. B. White is the White in Strunk and White. "Charlotte's Web" illustrates the ideas in Strunk and White while being an enjoyable story. In the story Charlotte saves the pig's life by writing the…
on “Why Clarence Thomas Uses Simple Words in His Opinions” ↗I'm quite certain that E.B. White's wonderful Charlotte's Web is based on the author's similar observations.
on “Spiders are much smarter than you think” ↗The writer was E. B. White. Most schoolchildren in the US still read and love his Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. And most secondary or post-secondary students in the US are given the style guide he wrote with William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing what he did…
on “Farewell, My Lovely (1936)” ↗87. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
Or maybe Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.
on “A spider web unlike any seen before (2025)” ↗Charlotte's Web is also a literary masterpiece - definitely reread as an adult if you only remember it from your childhood. The Audible is narrated by EBW himself.
on “E. B. White’s “Plain Style” at 75” ↗…thankful most of my English professors did not care for The Elements of Style, never recommended it, and instead recommended other style guides which were better suited to me and our times. :) I loved Charlotte's Web, though. I first read it when I was 8, I believe, and it had quite an impact on me. Thematically, quite different, but Dylan Thomas had the same, I like to call it deceptive 'straightforwardness' and…
on ““A book is a sneeze”” ↗I just started re-reading Charlotte's Web after reading this comment a few hours ago, and wow. What a charming and elegant book! I had no idea the book was so funny: Wilbur paused and listened. All the other animals lifted their heads and stared…
on “E. B. White’s “Plain Style” at 75” ↗…five Aprils (civil war historical fiction, older) The Broken Blade (Voyageur) & Sequel Island of the blue dolphins The witch of blackbird pond Johnny Tremaine (a bit older) The sign of the Beaver Charlotte’s Web Because of Winn Dixie Tuck Everlasting (sad at end) Ruby Holler The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Treasure Island The Pushcart War Maniac Magee Rascal Frindle Hatchet (Gary Paulsen) Mr. Popper’s…
on “The original “Bambi”” ↗…may be one of the best 'best of' lists I've seen. It's diverse without feeling forced - Willa Cather and Richard Wright aren't just there for brownie points. I love the inclusion of kids/YA novels. "Charlotte's Web" shouldn't be considered great "for a kids book", it should just be considered great. A lot of genre fiction novels are peeking their heads out of the ghetto. Sci-Fi, mystery, horror. A graphic novel…
on “The Atlantic's great American novels of the last 100 years” ↗Or read Charlotte's Web.
on “How Spiders Fly” ↗1. The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats) 2. The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss) 3. 1984 (George Orwell) 4. Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) 5. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 6. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) 7. Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury) 8. How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie) 9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (J.K. Rowling) 10. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric…
on “Most frequently checked-out books in the history of the New York Public Library” ↗…their school teacher reads aloud for 1+ hours per day, they’ll get a whole pile of practice. By “hard books” I mean that school-age students (age 5+) have no trouble listening to real chapter books (say Charlotte’s Web or Matilda) instead of only short rhyming picture books. I’m sure your son could start handle listening to those when he was 3.5, but he’ll still get something out of listening to them at age 6, as will…
on “How I Taught My Kid to Read” ↗Not sure if you noticed the author or not -- but he would go on to write Charlotte's Web a few years later. :)
on “Death of a Pig (1948)” ↗…that -- at least for kids who have been read to frequently -- their taste in books is well above the "see spot run" level that their reading is at. At age 4 and 5, my kids were into Ramona, Roald Dahl, Charlotte's Web, Pipi Longstocking, etc. It took them til age 6 or 7 to be able to read those comfortably. Learning to read early is in no way a curse, or a "party trick." For my kids, and many others, it has instilled…
on “Where have all the kindergartners gone?” ↗