Book Review: Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

By georgelthomas on 2 May 2025 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing the classic children’s book Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White.

Charlotte’s Web was published in 1952 by Harper and Brothers and is 192 pages long.

The Plot
Charlotte’s Web is the story of a runty pig, Wilbur, and his friendship with a savvy spider called Charlotte. Wilbur is saved from an early demise by Fern, a compassionate young girl—but he soon faces an even graver fate—becoming Christmas dinner. Enter Charlotte, who devises an ingenious plan to save him by spinning words into her webs, convincing the farm and town that Wilbur is “Some Pig.”

Characters
Wilbur
Wilbur, the story’s protagonist, is someone you can’t help but root for—mainly because he embodies vulnerability, innocence, and resilience.

Born the runt of his litter, Wilbur is initially saved from an untimely end by an unlikely advocate, Fern Arable, whose father sends him to her uncle Homer Zuckerman’s farm. But things don’t remain rosy on the Zuckerman farm—Wilbur learns with dread that he’s being fattened up for Christmas dinner.

Charlotte
Ah, Charlotte. Arguably the wisest and most heroic character in the story, she’s the barn’s philosopher and Wilbur’s steadfast protector. Charlotte spins words into her webs like “Some Pig” and “Radiant” to convince the humans that Wilbur is extraordinary and worth saving from slaughter.

Charlotte might just be one of my favourite children’s literary characters of all time. Her intelligence, grace, and selflessness are unparalleled. How often do we read about a hero whose best feat is simply being loyal and kind? She isn’t flashy or loud—she shows us that quiet strength can be just as mighty, if not more so.

Templeton
Templeton, a rat, is the barn’s grumpy scavenger. He thrives on leftovers and doesn’t seem particularly invested in the group’s problems. He seems content to live as an outcast, scoffing at the camaraderie of the other animals.

And yet… he comes through in crucial ways. Though Templeton might not share Wilbur and Charlotte’s values, his cunning and resourcefulness prove indispensable—like when he retrieves the scraps of paper from which Charlotte weaves her life-saving messages. He might roll his eyes dramatically at the thought of helping, but deep down (way, deep down), you can’t help but see a tiny kernel of loyalty in him.

Fern
Fern is the human thread that ties this animal-centric story together. She’s the one who saves Wilbur at the very beginning, refusing to accept her father’s practical but harsh solution to his being a runt.

Fern, with her unwavering love for animals, represents innocence and the pure-hearted curiosity of childhood. Her growth as the story progresses mirrors the reader’s own as we all come to grips with growing up and letting go.

Writing Style
What I particularly love about this book is White’s ability to balance whimsy with wisdom. He isn’t afraid to be childlike in his portrayal of wonder but also delivers profound truths with effortless elegance. Here’s one of my favourite lines, spoken by Charlotte as she reflects on her own mortality:
“After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”

It’s a heartbreaking example of how White’s writing captures the bittersweet nature of life itself.

White’s use of dialogue, in general, is another highlight. The conversations between the animals feel lively and genuine—almost as if you’re eavesdropping on them. He also sprinkles in humour, making the book a joy to read aloud, whether sharing it with a young listener or simply indulging yourself.

I also enjoy how White writes about nature and the simple pleasures of farm life. He brilliantly captures the sights, sounds, and smells of a barnyard. As you read the book, you can almost hear the sound of rustling hay or feel the warmth of a summer morning.

The brilliance of Charlotte’s Web lies in its ability to feel timeless and universal. Every character adds a unique thread to the story’s intricate weave, showing us different shades of humanity (even in animals). Whether it’s Wilbur’s vulnerability, Charlotte’s wisdom, or Fern’s empathy, there’s a piece of each character that feels deeply relatable.

Final Thoughts
Charlotte’s Web is an excellent way of presenting the cyclical nature of life and the food chain to children. I was five when my dad first read Charlotte’s Web to me. It made me a lifelong vegetarian. I found the threat of Wilbur’s ‘demise’ harrowing. But nonetheless, it’s a simple fact of life: sausages and bacon come from pigs. If your child is anything like me (empathic to the nth degree), perhaps wait until they are a little older.

Charlotte’s Web is a heartwarming tale of friendship, and whether you’re encountering it for the first time or revisiting it as a cherished classic, it continues to be just as captivating as ever.

I’m giving Charlotte’s Web a solid 10/10.

Have you read Charlotte’s Web? What did you think?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review!

Until next time,

George