Home > Media > Books > E. B. White, Edith Goodkind Rosenwald, Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection (Library of Congress) - Charlotte's Web: Student Packet Grades 3-4
E. B. White, Edith Goodkind Rosenwald, Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection (Library of Congress) - Charlotte's Web: Student Packet Grades 3-4
teddiec's Full Review: E. B. White, Edith Goodkind Rosenwald, Lessing J. ...
A pig, a rat, and 8-yr old girl and one very clever little spider. These are among the characters that form an unlikely friendship in E.B. White's much loved, "Charlotte's Web".
This is a beautiful story for all ages, adults included, though the subject matter seems best suited for children ages 8-12 (dependant on the maturity level of the child). While the sometimes harsh realities of farm life are dealt with openly and with detail [for example: the killing and butchering of pigs for bacon to eat] , the simple characters convey these things in such a way that it brings about a gentle understanding of farm life, nature, and the circle of life.
"Charlotte's Web" is Wilbur's story, and a story of learning and growing up. The peripheral characters-mostly other animals, are ultimately loveable and fun, though some exhibit less than desirable qualities like greed and selfishness.
The main focus is Wilbur's friendship with Charlotte, the spider. Wise and worldly, Charlotte teaches Wilbur about life, friendship, and loyalty.
Wilbur's Story
Born the "runt" of a litter of pigs, Wilbur is spared the usual fate of a small weaking (death) by Fern.
Swayed by his 8-yr old daughter's tears, her father agrees to let her raise him. After weeks of bottle-feeding and special attention from Fern , Wilbur's appetite and weight increase sufficiently enough that he becomes fit for sale. Fern and Wilbur have become very close, and although she is upset about selling him, she is happy that her uncle will buy him-as he lives closeby and she can visit everyday.
Wilbur's new home in the Zuckerman's barn cellar introduces him to some very colorful roomates. The sheep and lambs, the geese and gooselings, Templeton the ornory rat, and Charlotte, whose web stretches across the doorway to the barn cellar. The spider who would become his very best friend in the world.
He was appalled by her at first. Charlotte A. Cavatica, the beautiful grey spider who trapped flies and other insects in her silken web, wrapped them tightly and ate them! In time, and Wilbur came to understand and even respect the nature of the spider, among many other things. Wilbur grew to love Charlotte's quiet wisdom and learned much from the many stories she told him.
Wilbur's days were happy and full and Fern visited often, making friends with the other animals. He enjoyed living in the Zuckerman's barn cellar and soon became strong and healthy. Life was perfect, until one day when the sheep told him what happened to fat, healthy pigs...
Beside himself with fear, Wilbur turns to Charlotte, who makes him an incredible promise: He will not be butchered, she will find a way to save him. For days she hangs upside-down in her web, thinking, until finally she has an idea. A plan. The plan requires much effort and work on Charlotte's part, but no more than she is willing to give. With a little help from the other animals, the plan to save Wilbur is set into motion.
To tell more of this story would cheat the potential reader of too much. This heartwarming tale deserves to be read through the words of E.B. White-words that so aptly capture the depth and unselfishness of the true freindship that is shared between Wilbur and Charlotte.
Charlotte's Web is fantasy, yet grounded with realism. Wilbur continues to learn through his experiences, as do the other characters, and eventually comes to understand both the sorrow of loss and the joy of life- and living.
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur-and of Wilbur s dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large...More at Buy.com
An affectionate pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. In this story of friendship, hardship, an...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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