E. B. White Box Set: 3 Classic Favorites: Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan

by E.B. White

This giftable box set contains paperback editions of the Newbery Honor-winning Charlotte's Web, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal-winning Stuart Little , and The Trumpet of the Swan— three beloved, timeless classics by E. B. White, with black-and-white illustrations by Garth Williams and Fred Marcellino. Charlotte's Web 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, family, and adventure. Stuart Little Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his family. But when Stuart's best friend goes missing, he's determined to leave home and take an epic journey to find his friend. The Trumpet of the Swan Louis is a trumpeter swan, but unlike the rest of his family, he can't make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays no attention to him. But when his father steals him a real brass trumpet, Louis has to find out if it's the key to what he's wanted all along. E. B. White's classic book is a tender novel of overcoming the odds and learning to do things on your own terms.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Animals, Juvenile, Literature

608 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1972

About the author

Elwyn Brooks White was a leading American essayist, author, humorist, poet and literary stylist and author of such beloved children's classics as Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and, five or six years later, joined the staff of The New Yorker magazine. He authored over seventeen books of prose and poetry and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1973.

White always said that he found writing difficult and bad for one's disposition.

Mr. White has won countless awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, which commended him for making “a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.”

Reviews

[Dia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Little was my favorite of the three -- sometimes a mensch, sometimes a dandy, like a two-inch high Groucho Marx, this brave and competent dreamer applies his ingenuity to all manner of fixes that can arise for a mouse in a man's world. Louis the swan is a similarly quixotic character, but his story is more conventional and sentimental. Wilbur, however, didn't seem to do much at all other than appear "terrific" and "radiant" as suggested by his guardian angel-spider. All three books feature friends saving friends' lives and much joie de vivre. They're written with a delightfully adult whimsy -- only when White lists things does he cross the line from breezy charm to cloying cute.

[Raegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know Charlotte's Web is a classic but it's a little depressing to be meant as a child's book.

The Trumpet of the Swan is definitely more of a favorite to me than the other two. This is the second time I've read it to Isabella, she doesn't remember the first, and she really enjoyed it. She is 6 now, and she understood the story much better. Her love for animals really helped her to appreciate the story more as well.

I read Stuart Little to her a couple years ago and I can't really remember the details of the story but... it is a little strange to think of a family adopting a mouse as their relative.

They are all good books. But I'd hold off on reading them till your kids are at least 6-7, when they can start to read them for themselves.

[Shiloh Peacemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this little set at a child. My Poppa got it for me. It came with three books. Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet of the Swan and Stuart Little. I loved reading Charlotte's Web and it was the most read book I had. The Second had to be Stuart Little. I didn't really get into The Trumpet of the Swan until I was a little bit older.

I have to say that it was the best gift that my Poppa ever gave me. I can't remember it if was Christmas, or a birthday gift. All that I remember is getting it. And how I loved that little slip cover that held all those three books together as a set. It is one of the best memories I had as a child.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cool thing about having kids, is getting to re-read all the stories I loved as a child. I read this book to my kids over Christmas break, 2006. They LOVED it. In fact my son just asked me last night if I could re-read it to them over the summer. I said we could. This book teaches children about self-confidence, hope and friendship. Well, it teaches everyone that.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I somehow never read this book. It's a good story. it's especially fun to hear the author read it.
it was written about 1970 when I was a teenager but it seems more old fashioned than that. it has some wording that wouldn't fly today I think.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan as a first time reader. Charlotte's Web is also enjoyable but I read it years and years ago.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, Charlotte's Web is the best of the three.

[Sandy Wang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte's Web is an unique tale about a friendship between two animals, a pig and a spider. Living on the farm, Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider's friendship blossomed when Charlotte prevented Wilbur's death. Wilbur was going to be slaughtered by his owner, Mr. Zuckerman, but Charlotte prevented it by making words on her web such as "some pig" and "terrific". Mr. Zuckerman thought of it as a miracle and let Wilbur live. In this book, friendship, bravery, and love created the amazing relationship between the two animals. In the end, Charlotte passed away but her 3 daughters succeed her, none of them replacing Charlotte in Wilbur's heart.

There are many themes that make up this book. One theme is friendship, which also leads to love. Throughout the book, you will see how Charlotte's and Wilbur's friendship become stronger everyday. For example, Charlotte and Wilber taught and helped each other. Charlotte taught Wilbur how a spider eats, which is by drinking her victim's blood. Near the end of the book, Wilber was invited to a fair for a contest of being the best pig. At the fair, Charlotte laid her eggs and unfortunately, died. Wilber honored her by bringing her eggs back to the farm and waited for the them to hatch. This is friendship because they're always there for each other. Even though, Charlotte passed away, the friendship they had will always exist.

[Brenna Kerley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this three classic tale book because it embodies all of the classic stories I grew up with. I like the feel of this book and how it made me feel when I was reading it. This book is great for teachers to use in a classroom because they can read a different story whenever they want and then go and watch a movie on it as well. I think it important that children are open and aware of the stories my generation grew up with. I like how simple the illustrations are in this book as well.The sketches add to the authenticity of the book and the story itself. I think, as times have changed, children's expectations of illustrations in book have become much higher. I love this book because it reminds me of my childhood and it is very authentic which I really appreciate. This book is certainly one I would use in a classroom to read to my students. We could read it as a class as out "community book" where we read little snibits at the end of every day before the students go home. I enjoy this book and what it embodies.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl that loves animal particular his pig and she lives with his dad. As you read the story there is a part about her pig that her dad wanted to sell it in a festival. She ask and ask to her dad to not sell the pig. The day came and the festival was starting then someone buy.The pig had a horrible time with his new owner but, the pig love the girl. He make friends of some spiders, but that didn't make he happy at all so he escape and lost. In this is time he was lost and want to get to the farm of the girl he had a fun experience. Then the pig get to see the girl and he is happy other time.

[ladydusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own.

We've now read all of these, but it was supposed to be for The Trumpet of the Swan.

We all loved it. We being the children and me. It was weird. I didn't expect it to be weird in the same way as Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web are, but I suppose I should have. I loved the book, it was a joy to read.

N-boy and R-girl liked the part about Camp KooKoosKoos. M-girl liked when Louis got his trumpet. I loved the chapter at the zoo where he negotiated freedom (although I was disappointed in some of his negotiation!)

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my boys. They absolutely loved Charlotte's Web. Stuart Little was not quite as entertaining for them, and we have just started Trumpet of the Swan. I read the book myself before reading it to my boys, and it brought back the memories of reading about Charlotte and Stuart in elementary school. They are all fun stories about extraordinary animals doing things that they could only do in our imaginations!

[Troy]

Includes three of the best loved classics in childrens literature. charlotte's web is a newberry Award-winning story of one fine swine and a spider named charlotte who changed his life forever. The Trumpet of the swan is the joyous tale of Louis a trumper swan in search of his voice. stuart Little is the story of a most unusual mouse that sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this collection to my sons, aged 8 and 5. Of the three stories the "Trumpet of the Swan" was their favorite, followed by "Charlotte's Web" and then "Stuart Little." They liked "Stuart Little" until the end or lack thereof in their opinion. They did not like that it just stopped without any resolution to the search for Margalo.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trumpet of the Swan was the one which was read from this slip-covered collection. My children--up to age 14--enjoyed it right well.

It was a pleasant surprise to me, never having read this humorous tale by E. B. White. One character was over the top, but we all had many giggles from this work.

Without doubt,it shall recur in the reading line-up.

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book so much. Fern`s heart is so kind. If I was fern I
will just uconcern. But fern saved 1 being. I like the character`s heart. Aso it was a good idea (Charlotte the spider make some words out of the web). That makes reader fun and amazing. And farn animals trouble was great. Wilbur escaping...

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will not lie I never know these movies were based on books. I seen it in the trunk of my mother's car and begged her to let me read it. I enjoyed Charlotte's web and the trumpet of the swan. Stuart little story was weird to me and I didn't like the ending at all but besides that they were cute stories.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book, not this edition, and loved it. Charlotte was my favorite character, and what sparked my interest in entomology. It was my favorite book as a child. I also liked Stuart Little. I don't recall reading The Trumpet of the Swan. I may have, but will have to read or read it again to find out.

[Courtney Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte's Web was my absolute favourite when I was a little girl. White's stories held up well rereading as an adult. They felt just as magical as they did when I was 8 years old, but I was able to pick up new insights and wisdom that was over my head as a child.

“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”

[Dioscita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be forever grateful to E.B. White for these stories. It's a tie between Swan and Charlotte, but for very different reasons. Stuart, on the other hand, I could take or leave (but don't tell my niece I said so).

[JSou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this! I always wanted a nice copy of Charlotte's Web for my kids and was thrilled when I found this collection of E.B. White. This one has definately been read a lot!

[Deana Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this collection of 2 great stories to my 5 year old son. No pictures, just your imagination. Very visual stories. Trumpter of the Swan is a must read for everyone. It is a love story, a story of childhood and family. Absolutely terrific!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most adored books of my childhood along with Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. For some reason nobody ever saw the screen adaptation a few years ago (I heard it wasn't too good anyway), but it is a shame that more children are not being exposed to this touching, beautiful story.

[Kayley Mae Reynolds*:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a good book but a sad one i read it in like third grade and i cant wait to read it again because all the memories are going to be great and i hope that one day i will be able to read it to my kids lol

[Mary]

We have taken sides:
my favorite is Trumpet of the Swan,
Dave's is Stuart Little,
Caoimhe's is Charlotte, ever Charlotte.


update: summer is a hot and distracting time to commit to books without pictures. We shall return, in the long long winter.

[Hoang Anh · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are lovely stories about friendship, love and the courage to live one's own life. E.B.White's works have clear expression and smart choice of words. He posseses talent to make his characters as well as his child readers's worlds better and brighter.

[Kristen Marincic Hiestermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan were very good. I didn't care for Stuart Little as much. It lacked cohesiveness, something that the movie did a much better job of. This is one of those rare books where I think I would say the movie was actually better.

[Tawishidogra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is my favorite book and its talks about true friendship and what can we do for our best friend and when ever i read this book i feel like crying i love this book and i think that you will also love it.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

contrary to popular opinion, I feel that The Trumpet of the Swan was far and away the best of the three books. Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web were good books, but that one was great. It's too bad it doesn't get more recognition

[ElizaBeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew all three of these amazing books came in one tidy set? I loved and read them all many, many times as a kid.