Charlotte's Web/Stuart Little Slipcase Gift Set

by E.B. White, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

This is the first children’s book by the distinguished author E. B. White. Stuart Little, the hero, is a mouse in the family of Frederick C. Little and is a debonair little character with a shy, engaging manner and a somewhat philosophical turn of mind. He is a great help around the house, and everybody except Snowbell the cat likes him a great deal. In spite of his small size, Stuart gets around in the world, riding a Fifth Avenue bus, racing (and winning in) a sailboat in Central Park, teaching school for a day, and so on. His size -- just over two inches -- does give him some trouble now and then, like the time he was rolled up in the window shade, or when he got dumped into a garbage scow. But on the whole his life is a happy one. His great adventure comes when, at the age of seven, he sets out in the world to seek his dearest friend, Margalo, a beautiful little bird who stayed for a few days in the Littles' Boston fern. It is on this search that we leave Stuart, going north in his little car, sure he is heading in the right direction. In this special gift-book edition of a beloved classic, renowned artist Rosemary Wells has lovingly added delicate watercolor to the original black-and-white drawings by Garth Williams. Stuart Little, small in size only, has the indomitable spirit of a heroic figure, and his story, funny and tender and exciting by turns, will be read, reread, and loved by young and old.

Genres: Classics, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Animals, Chapter Books, Friendship

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2004

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

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a very special story!! I used to read these books to my kids and they both loved them

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used CW as a touchstone text for a number of my Children's Literature courses. Eudora Welty called it a nearly perfect children's book when she reviewed it upon its publication. It does suffer flaws in terms of gender roles that White assigns/assumes, but overall it provides a great read and an excellent opportunity to examine both reader response and author craft.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book! An adorable, precious children's book about true friendship! I heard it said once that a good children's author knows how to entertain/capture adults along with the children, and it's true. E.B. White did a phenomenal job at maintaining a simple plot while weaving (haha get it..) a beautiful message and fantastic dialogue. Definitely will share with my kids someday.

[Bingwaht · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far so good, looking forward the following stories happened between Charlotte and Wilbur. (011123)

Such a friendship! It’s way too touch that have me envied. No one can compare to Charlotte for Wilbur, and ofc for Charlottes, Wilbur has been being her priority forever.

“After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. … 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. “

[Eddyza Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This is one of the sweetest book ever! I read it for my girls and end up crying haha. I hate spiders but definitely Charlotte is the exception. She showed that tru friendship and service gives a meaning to life. If you want a book that will help kids teaching a lesson about service this is on of them. :)

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming classic tale that allows young readers to float back to the simple life on a farm. A little girl takes it upon herself to save a baby pig, Wilbur, from death by raising it at her uncle’s farm. From here some uncommon friendships are born in the barn that allows young readers to explore the themes of friendship, love and death. This story is sure to bring some giggles and tears as readers develop a love for the devoted friend Wilbur finds in the barn.

[Lano Ramadani · Rating 5 out of 5]

intresting . it deserves more than 5 stars , it shows the importance of frienship.

[veonni]

Charlotte's web Is sow fun
I hop you love it I do by love
It

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most endearing and sweet childhood classics!

[Nakshatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing book to read

[Elizabeth Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one I finally got to share with my kid. I cried but she didn't lol

[Jessyka Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte is the best friend a pig could have.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just as good as when I read it when I was little. I cried now like I did them for Charlotte. As an adult I have to say I think Wilbur was a tad bit needy. LOL But Charlotte was such a good friend to
him. It was funny to read about how Fern's mom was so worried about her that she could hear the animals talking . What if they really could talk to us ? What interesting thoughts would they have? This was a 4 star read for me. A great book to sit down and read with your children or just to read as an adult to remember your childhood days.

[Barb Keltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read this years ago but wanted to read it again, so I checked out the audio book, read by author E.B. White who died in 1985. Oh, my -- he did a BEAUTIFUL job reading this beautiful book. I'd forgotten how very funny and sweet it is. I especially liked White's voices for the geese and Templeton the rat. After the story on the audiobook, more info is shared about White and about the story, which I especially enjoyed learning too.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet tale; poignant.

[Rubyboo2uk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charlottes web is amazing fun to read to ur kids or ur self it sow good u need to read it if u all ready have amazing if u haven't got time to read it then that okay because u can read it another day its amazing for kids adults teenagers everybody can read it its brilliant E.B. WHITE as took a lot of time on this book the last time I read it was 2 year ago it is amazing hope u enjoy IIT thank you xxxx

[Wafa Saeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! It’s an adorable and heartwarming children’s story about true friendship. I once heard that a great children’s author can captivate adults as much as children, and it’s so true here. E.B. White does an incredible job keeping the plot simple while crafting (pun intended!) a beautiful message and brilliant dialogue. I’ll definitely be sharing this with my kids someday.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so popular that it actually has its movie!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in school and my kids loved this As well !!!

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost best book ever

[Hanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Thai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte’s Web is widely regarded as a timeless classic in children’s literature, praised for its themes of friendship, sacrifice, loyalty, and the inevitable cycle of life. E.B. White certainly intended to teach young readers that life isn’t always fair and that all living things—no matter how small—have value.

While I acknowledge the importance of these lessons and appreciate the gentle way they’re introduced to children, I found myself unmoved revisiting this book as an adult. Despite its reputation, the emotional resonance just didn’t land for me this time around. I’ve reread many classic children’s books and found them rich with nostalgia and layered meaning, but Charlotte’s Web gave me more of a sense of forgetfulness than fondness.

The story’s pacing is slow, and while Charlotte’s sacrifice is noble, it lacks the emotional depth that might truly stir older readers. I also wonder if children will grasp the more subtle messages on a first read—or if those lessons might fly by without deeper reflection.

Ultimately, Charlotte’s Web remains a sweet and gentle story, ideal for its intended audience. But as an adult revisiting it, it didn’t evoke the lasting magic or emotional pull I’d hoped for. A classic, yes—but not one that personally stood the test of time for me.

[Brianna N]

Summary: There is a little pig that was being rude to. The pig was not worthy but then people around town started calling it worthy and they wanted it to win at the fair. Then it's friend a spider started to write in it's web like words to describe the pig. The pig then eventually won the fair and it got an award but then it's friend the spider died sadly.

Analysis: This book has a lot of voices that you can hear. This is a really great story about the pig and how it's life is going to happen. This is very detailed and I love that. The details are great and very eventful.

Use in my classroom: I will show that emotions are okay. It is also okay to have people pass away and cry like the spider died and the pig cried. It's okay to have emotions. Also have an activity to get the kids to create a web out of paper. Just make fun activities.

[Marines Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happened in this story. There was a spider and a pig and they were planning to kill the pig. In the winter for christmas and the pig did not want to be killed. So his best friend the spider did something fascinating. She made that pig famous so at the end the pig lived happily. But the spider was too old and tired but she was happy with what she had done. How characters changed was that at first the pig was a little tiny cute baby and now he is a big fat pig. And the spider was young and really fast but now she is old and slow. The book didn't change me in a major way but it did teach me that friendships are really important. I would recommend the book to Luci because I think that she would really enjoy it.

[Randy Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Atlantic magazine included this beloved classic "children's book/young people's book/book for all ages" in their "The Great American Novels" list - they knew what they were doing. E.B. White's storytelling style of simplicity, humor, and wisdom is consistently arresting. It's one of those rare gems of a book I suggest everyone reads - and re-reads - and re-reads throughout their years. If you're interested in stirring your soul by reading a book, pick up this imitable, humble masterpiece that should be on your bookshelf. Forever.

[Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this interesting story, E.B. White told a story about a pig, Wilbur living in the barnyard with his friends. In the beginning, Mr. Arable is going to kill a runt pig, then Fern(his daughter) stopped him and ask her father to have this pig. Fern give a name of the pig, Wilbur,when Wilbur grow up, Mr. Arable ask Fern for sell Wilbur, Fern told him“No”, so they sell Wilbur to Fern’s uncle. And sometimes Fern can see Wilbur in uncle’s barn. In the middle, Wilbur got bored in the barn, one day he had a friend, Charlotte, a spider. They were very good friends. But there was one day, Wilbur knew that Fern’s father and uncle wanted to kill him, he tried to run away, but it didn’t work. Wilbur told Charlotte to help him, then Charlotte wrote some words of her feelings for Wilbur,“SOME PIG”, “TERRIFIC” on her web. Charlotte saved Wilbur and let him got famous. In the end, Wilbur was the famous pig in the village. Wilbur went to the fair and it got a big prize, this all things came from Charlotte’s Web.
This story told me, with Charlotte’s help, Wilbur turned from a poor pig into a very famous pig in the village. This is a really really interesting story, if there was no Charlotte, then Wilbur would not be a famous pig.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Charlotte's Web because the spider lets Wibur bring home the egg sack and then three little spiders stay at the pen. Now Wilbur has three new friends. I like how the spider's ask him questions so that they figure out their names. I liked that the spider saved Wilbur and I'm really happy that Wilbur got a gold medal.

That's all.

Charlotte
April 2020 (During Covid Quarentine)
Age 5 and 1/2

[Mia Greeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting because i love animals and i love how fern protested to have Wilbur. Another thing is that I love how brave fern is. I think these because she did not freak out about the spider and also surprising saved the spider from her brother. I can also relate to fern because she loves animals as much as me. The whole time it kept me guessing and interested.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading it for the first time as an adult, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. I think it may have lost some of the magic it would hold for a young child to read. It was still a good book though.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching the animated movie version but I’ve never read this until now. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it has aged. Read aloud with my kids and we all thoroughly enjoyed this. The language is beautiful. Definitely worth a read!