Some Pig!: A Charlotte's Web Picture Book

by E.B. White, Maggie Kneen (Illustrator)

Fern loved Wilbur more than anything, and Wilbur loved her too. . . . Some Pig! introduces a new generation to Wilbur, the most lovable pig in children's literature. E. B. White's masterful text from the classic Charlotte's Web , combined with artist Maggie Kneen's finely detailed work, brings to life the enchanting friendship between Fern and Wilbur. This charming picture-book edition will capture the imagination and win the hearts of young readers everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Classics, Fantasy, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2006

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

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really needed this...made me think of better times - and the bonds that get us past our pain. It is nice to have books that you can read when you are felling overwhelmed - Charlotte's Web is a book that helps me 'center' myself when the world seems to be crashing in around me. This simple tale of love and sacrifice is a well of hope I have drawn from so often.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our third graders at school have finished reading Charlotte's Web and it was a possibility that Charlotte was going to be one of our nominees for library mascot (while the presidential election takes place in the real world!) I was thrilled to discover this book because I wanted the little ones (kindergartner kids, for example) to know about Charlotte in a brief story as they're much too young for the novel. So I checked this out from our local library to make sure I wanted to purchase it for our school. And I read it. And then I thought:

What. Is. This. Book?!?

It ENDS when Wilbur is sold to the Zuckerman's farm! That's it! There is no Charlotte! And there is no sequel from what I've found. Sooooo confused why this book was created when it doesn't at all dive into the beauty that is story of Wilbur and Charlotte. Beautiful illustrations but I'm incredibly disappointed.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember really enjoying Charlotte's Web when I was younger. Despite it being my first 'sad' book, I still loved reading the story. Cheering for Wilbur, crying over Charlotte.

So, I was incredibly curious how the author would handle the emotional turmoil from the first book (the need to save Wilbur, Charlotte's sacrifice).

The answer is...they just didn't? The story focuses on Wilbur's early weeks. His sickly first few days, Fern's intervention and how they decided to keep Wilbur in the family.

And I just don't think the picture book hits quite the same without the sadness to balance out the light. Charlotte's Web focused on how sometimes the people who care for you the most will sacrifice themselves and how you can live your life to the fullest despite the sadness...and this book just didn't have nearly the same punch without the original themes.

The pictures were pretty but the story didn't hit the same.

[Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great art and illustrations, but seriously seriously abbreviated Charlotte's Web! It's just about Wilbur and goes from him being a runt in the house to being purchased by the uncle... then just stops! That's it, that's all we get!

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute illustrations!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at my library and I had no idea there even was a Charlotte’s Web picture book! I read this to my 4 year old son and to my 3rd grader son. I planned on reading Charlotte’s Web (the chapter book) to my 3rd grader later this year, so I thought this picture book would be s good introduction. This book has gorgeous illustration and is basically an intro to the story. Although it is well written and my boys were kept interested on every page, it does seem to end abruptly. The story ends as the pig, Wilbur, gets sold to the girls (Fern) uncle. The last picture is of Wilbur lying down in a dark barn which is his new home. It was kind of a sad ending but it does peak your interest to want to read more so it’s a good prequel to reading the chapter book! My 3rd grade son is now intrigued by the story and is looking forward to the chapter book!

[McKenna R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think this translates super well into a picture book. The story ends at the point where Wilbur leaves Fern’s house and goes to live with Uncle Homer, for some reason. So all the interesting parts got totally cut out. And there’s no Charlotte or Templeton or any plot at all. The pictures were cute, and I really want a baby pig now, but the picture book itself was not great. It mostly is just a log of Wilbur’s care and feeding in the first weeks of his life, so I don’t really know why they made it its own book. 2.5 stars.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give it zero stars if I could. This was the most disappointing book I’ve ever read. The book ENDS when Wilbur moves to Zuckermans farm, which, if you’re read Charlottes Web, is pretty near the beginning of the story. There is no plot line, no Charlotte, no web spinning magic. My children were so sad when we flipped the page and it was the end of the story before the story really began. So. Disappointing. I don’t know why this book exists. The idea is so nice, a Charlottes Web picture book?? Amazing! Why, WHY would you not finish the book??

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte’s Web is one of my all-time favorite children’s books, so to find a picture book that’s an excerpt from the full novel was a treat. It ended in kind of a strange place, but that’s okay. Hard to get a full story from just a part of one. I look forward to reading the whole book with my little boy when he’s old enough.

[Vanessa Becerra]

Fern had raised a pig she loved. She would feed the pig every time, would go to the same places, and she would even play with her pig and toys. One day her dad said the pig had to be sold. She was devastated because they would always go everywhere together. Until she negotiates with her dad that what if they sell it to her uncle since it was close by and he buys pigs.

[Sharon Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte's Web is an all-time favorite of mine so when I saw Some Pig! on the library shelf, I had to pick it up and read. I think it's a great introduction to Fern and Wilbur for younger children and I loved the illustrations. The soft colors make you feel the warmth of life on the farm.

[Summerfield-Petersburg Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte's Web is an all-time favorite of mine so when I saw Some Pig! on the library shelf, I had to pick it up and read. I think it's a great introduction to Fern and Wilbur for younger children and I loved the illustrations. The soft colors make you feel the warmth of life on the farm.

[Earl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why, even?

[Mrs. Pie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Brief summary of part of the Charlotte's Web story.

4.1

[L.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, but with the title of "Some Pig!" it should have Charlotte in the book or the quote tied in. Instead, it has an awkward ending of Wilbur being sold to the Zuckerman's.

[Haaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book.

Unfortunately it is only the story of the time before and up to he goes to live at the farm.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great hook to read Charolette's Web as it leads right into when Wilbur moves into the Zuckerman's barn.

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how this book has anything to do with Charlotte's web aside from the name of the pig being the same....disappointment.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be fun... and I DID love the pictures, but since it doesn't even get to the "some pig" part, I don't quite understand what the thoughts were here. 😔

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book version of Charlotte’s Web. Cute story but I thought the ending was rather abrupt.

[DarBesko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that the book abruptly ended before Wilbur met Charlotte or Fern could visit him at Zuckerman's farm. Wilber's situation at the end of the book looks dismal.

[Virginia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heartless!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as iconic as the Garth Williams illustrations but a solid picture book nonetheless.

Did Fern wear shorts? I can't remember.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful picture book! A great introduction to Charlotte's Web!

[☆Brittany☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I knew this book existed before I checked out the original Charlotte's Web. My 3 yr old could *not* sit through the original book & I knew he was a bit young for it but I hoped for the best. I really wanted to read it to him since I remembered liking the book & I didn't want to wait until he was 6 or older to *finally* be able to read it to him so I checked it out & what a mistake. He was not interested in the original book at all & after a few chapters of yelling at him to sit down & listen I finally gave up & read the book myself.
Yesterday I stumbled upon this shorter version at the library & was ticked that I didn't find it sooner..oh well.
I definitely recommend this shorter version for younger kids because they can actually sit through this version & there are colorful pictures to keep younger kids entertained.
The only thing I missed was how there was no mention of Charlotte but that was because this story only mentioned Wilbur's first few months.

[Mistiemae1 Downs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some Pig!: A Charlotte's Web Picture Book revises a small portion of the classic children's story by E.B. White. It is intended to introduce younger audiences to Charlotte's Web. The illustrations are engaging, warm, and well done. The text of the story is sweet, even if it lacks the beauty of the larger book, and my children were engaged all the way up until the end.

However, when I asked my children how we should rate Some Pig!, they were adamant that it should receive only one star. The book leaves the story with this final line: "The next day, Wilbur was taken from his home under the apple tree and went to live in a manure pile in the cellar of Zuckerman's barn." This is not exactly the feel good ending the children were hoping for. Older and younger kids alike were aghast. My 4-year-old cried out, "that was a horribly sad story!" This is the reason for their one star review.

[Dori · Rating 5 out of 5]

It looks like they are doing to "Charlotte's Web" exactly what they did with the "Little House" series: breaking out each chapter of the original books into a picture-heavy, simple-sentence book that young toddlers can enjoy, and parents don't have to wait until the kids are older to share their favorite childhood books with them. I found this first book in what I assume will be a series faithful to the original, and simple enough for my 2 1/2 year olds to enjoy. And given how many times they ask me to re-read a favorite book now, I have NO worries that this will "spoil" the original for them when they are old enough to read it. Both I and my girls are looking forward for the next book in the series to come out!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read and loved Charlotte's Web and can't wait to experience with your child or grandchild that is to young for it. Then you will love this book. It doesn't explain Charlotte or get that far into the story but it's perfect at explaining about Wilber and Fern's friendship. If your child listens-reads this then you can tell them there is 'more' and they'll can't help but want to read the full version. The illustrations are great as well. My almost 3 year old granddaughter loved this story and took the book from me after we read it together and pointed to pictures and 'read' it to me (in her way of course)

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utilizing much of E.B. White's original language, this picture book tells the story of Fern raising Wilbur as a piglet until being sold to her Uncle. The story ends before the reader meets Charolette, the spider, but the tale of a young girl and her pet pig is very satisfying even without knowing the rest of the story.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Kneen did an amazing job illustrating this book, but the story itself although an interesting tale of the friendship between Fern and Wilber, the runt of a litter of pigs left this reader contemplating how quickly one's life can change over night. The ending was rather abrupt revealing the realities of life on a farm.