Charlotte's Web

We were visiting Steve's Grandchildren over Christmas and the film of Charlotte's Web came on the television.

As the children charged about, Steve's daughter watched the opening scenes and said it had been her favourite book as a child.

I confessed that I had neither seen the film, nor read the book.

In came Son-in-Law who exclaimed "Charlotte's Web! I loved that book."

They obviously thought that my childhood was sadly lacking because, for my birthday, I received my very own copy of the book.

I love books. and I really like this one.

Written in 1952 by E.B White it does not shy away from some of the realities of Life that children's books shy away from these days.
Right from the start, children are confronted with the fact that Farmer's may very well "do away with" the runt of the litter. The little pig in this story escapes this fate, only to be informed by a Sheep that he is, in fact, being fattened up to become "smoked bacon and ham".

But the book has many depths.
It expresses the camaraderie between a group of Barn Animals and in particular the unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider.
There are hints of a little girl whose thoughts are turning from saving little pigs to the fun to be had in the company of boys, much to her mother's relief.
There are wonderful explanations of Spiders, including the way they hunt, kill and eat their prey - distasteful to children and little pigs alike until understanding dawns.
The books deals with death and birth and tells of how beings that have gone before live on in memories and in their children.

And the words! There are some wonderful words.

But at the end of the day, it remains a very good children's story.
Having said that, I feel that a good many adults would do well to read it too!

The messages that I read so clearly as an adult are cleverly presented in a very palatable form for children. They don't really need to hear the message, just enjoy the book. The messages will be sent anyway.

I am very happy with my book.... but we must clear the spiders webs from the Pig Ark!

Have you read it?