E.B. White: Some Writer! All about the author of Charlotte's Web

by Beverly Gherman

Although he wrote extensively for adults, E. B. White is best-known as the creator of three children's classics--Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. Here is a chance for those who treasure these novels to meet the man behind them. "Meticulously researched and documented. Written with respect for both the subject and the audience."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Bibliography, index.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

BEVERLY GHERMAN has previously written children's biographies of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes de Mille, Sandra Day O'Connor, E.B. White, Wilhelm Röntgen, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Norman Rockwell. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Reviews

[Carolyn]

A juvenile biography of one of my favorite writer's, E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web. The writing was perhaps too simplified, leaving too many unanswered questions. Also, some details, such as White's authorship of a book called Is Sex Necessary? (co-written with James Thurber), are not essential for a biography meant to be read by children. The details of how White was inspired to write Charlotte's Web (after unsuccessfully nursing a sick pig and watching a spider in his barn tend to her egg sac), the hard work involved in being a professional writer, and White's worries about his health were interesting and served to humanize this iconic writer. But overall, it was an average biography.

[Becky]

Loved his story and how the author captures him. I look forward to reading another biography by her and hopefully she has adult nonfiction.

[Rose Hill]

It was interesting and you get a real feel for White's personality in addition to his life story.

[Adaline Griffiths]

I really enjoyed reading about E.B. White. Prior to reading this book I did not know about White's life. I liked learning about his habits and his fears, a lot of the material coming from his journals. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Barbara]

A new and beautifully illustrated children's book about the life of writer E.B. White. Chock full of photos, quotes, poems, and bits of manuscript. I gobbled this one up.

[Clara]

I like biographies and insights into how other people lived. I enjoyed this quick read. It was very simple but I know a lot more about EB White now.

[Reagan]

Not a spectacularly written biography, but it was easy to read and White bequeathed the author an interesting life of which to write . I particularly enjoyed reading his poetry which I found exceptional and lovely.