by E.B. White
“It was the best place to be, thought Wilbur, this warm delicious cellar, with the sun, the passage of swallows, the nearness of rats, the sameness of sheep, the love of spiders, the smell of manure, and the glory of everything.”
I read Charlotte’s Web for the first time this year, and I really enjoyed it although it is aimed at a younger audience!
Most people probably know the plot of this book, about a lonely pig and the spider who befriends him and schemes to save his life. It is a warm, witty little book with themes of friendship, loyalty and compassion for animals.
“There can be no mistake about it. A miracle has happened and a sign has occurred here on earth, right on our farm, and we have no ordinary pig.”
“Well,” said Mrs. Zuckerman, “it seems to me you’re a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider.”
It might come as a surprise that this book was actually banned in Kansas in 2006. The reason being the talking animals, which was considered “blasphemous and unnatural” as animals are “non-vocal”. However, I would disagree – animals do talk to each other. If you’ve spent any amount of time around them, you will know that. They even try to communicate with humans, just as we do with them, although obviously there is a language barrier.
In any case, I have the sneaking suspicion that it was actually banned because children were going home and refusing to eat their bacon, because it came from Wilbur’s family. Which is a plus side to this book, if you ask me.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book for readers of any age. I really enjoyed the humour, and the plot line of Fern’s mother being so worried about her spending all that time with the animals made me laugh! Sounds a lot like me as a child.
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