Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
41(41%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 14,2025
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This was a truly silly story, yet it was also sweet and rather touching.

It had a certain cuteness to it, and the sense of family within it was really strong.

In most other stories, a character like the swan dad would likely be just annoying and overly exaggerated. However, in this particular story, he was simply a good person (or rather, animal) who had a genuine desire to help his family, despite being extremely annoying at times.

Seriously, I had not expected this story to have such a profound impact on me. It made me realize that even the simplest and silliest of stories can hold a great deal of emotion and warmth.

It was a pleasant surprise to find myself so moved by this tale of a swan dad and his family.

I will definitely remember this story for a long time to come.
July 14,2025
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Absolutely adorable!

Why on earth did I never get my hands on this book during my childhood? Seriously, it is simply too cute for words!

What could possibly be more charming than a Trumpeter swan that has a speech impediment yet manages to overcome it by learning to read, write, and, as you might have guessed, play the trumpet?

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story centered around a young swan, and it is an absolute delight!

The characters are so much fun. Louis is an absolute treat, and his dad is hilarious.

My kids just adored listening to this story and could hardly wait until it was reading time again.

It's a book that not only entertains but also teaches valuable lessons about perseverance and the power of learning.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming and engaging read.

Whether you're a child or an adult, this book is sure to bring a smile to your face and warm your heart.

So, don't miss out on this gem of a story!
July 14,2025
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A sweet story about a swan without a voice, and how he finds it, and all the adventures he has along the way.

The writing was truly beautiful. It had the power to make me feel as if I was transported to the vast wilderness in Canada. I could envision the serene lakes of Montana and all the other wonderful places that Louis visits on his remarkable journey.

Louis, the voiceless swan, embarks on a quest that is filled with excitement and challenges. He faces various obstacles but never gives up. Along the way, he meets new friends and discovers the true meaning of determination and perseverance.

His adventures take him to different habitats, where he experiences the beauty and harshness of nature. Through it all, Louis learns valuable lessons and grows as a character.

This story is not only about a swan's search for his voice but also about the importance of following one's dreams and believing in oneself. It is a heartwarming tale that will leave readers inspired and touched.
July 14,2025
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Like many other parents, I tried my best to hold back my tears while reading Charlotte's Web to my daughters. However, I had never heard of this book until I came across a reference to it recently.


This is a truly charming story, in the most wonderful old-fashioned sense. Louis is born in Canada into a magnificent family of Trumpeter Swans. But there is a major problem - he is voiceless.


Fortunately, his birth is witnessed by a young boy named Sam Beaver, who is on a camping trip with his father. Sam not only saves the mother swan's life but also later decides to help Louis learn to read and write so that he can communicate. In E.B. White's capable and sturdy prose, this fantasy seems completely believable. It's the kind of book that makes you want to believe that a boy who loves animals and a mute swan can become the best of friends.


But Louis's personal growth is far from over. Especially after his loving yet pompous father steals a trumpet so that Louis can imitate his species' call.


You'll have to read the rest of the book to find out how Louis becomes famous and finds true love. And you won't mind the happy ending one bit. It's a story that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face.
July 14,2025
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It’s highly imaginative, but I truly have no clue how to rate this book. It’s extremely weird and traverses a vast array of different story types as it progresses. I perused the blurbs for three distinct editions, and none of them corresponded to what was written in the book I had. Moreover, they all sounded like completely disparate stories. After reading the book, I realized they were all derived from here, but goodness, did they vary in which aspects to emphasize. The plot seems to change whenever the author feels inclined, and new chapters can read like entirely different books. It was at its strongest before the fantasy element was introduced. Once the swan began going to school, became gainfully employed, and took to ordering room service, I lost a bit of interest.


It’s definitely showing its age and is very politically incorrect with the ‘defective’ swan who can’t make a trumpet among other things. However, some parts were truly amazing. Similar to Charlotte's Web, it attempts to teach the reader things in an engaging manner and imparts a wealth of knowledge and facts about swans, seasons, and climates. The cob with his pompous pontificating as he teaches children new words was hilariously absurd every time he spoke. I’m not sure if he was intended to be funny considering how serious his character was, but I chuckled at his cheesy overacting on several occasions. At the start, his wife is very much: look at this magnificent male I mated with. But a few years later, she’s interrupting and basically reduced to “yes, dear.”


But the overall message here is not so great. And Louis agreeing to ‘donate’ a cygnet to the zoo whenever they ask in exchange for his wife’s freedom… aah, what on earth? Everyone knows not to bargain away their unborn child, and he does it for an unlimited number. And it was for a bargain that didn’t even need to be struck because they could have literally just flown away and been fine. But for its strange enjoyability, it’s up there. It’s far better than Stuart Little. And it’s said that this was made into a movie at some point! I need to track that down. Though I hope it is one day made into a live-action film because I would love to see everyone’s expressions as they come out of the cinema thinking WTF did I just watch?

July 14,2025
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I simply can't give this book enough stars. It's truly an outstanding piece of work.

Moreover, the audiobook, which is read by White, is an absolute gem. Every single minute spent listening to it is well worth it. At times, it's so hilarious that you'll find yourself laughing out loud, while at other moments, it's sweet and gentle, touching your heart.

This book is like a precious gift that keeps on giving. It has the power to bring joy and entertainment to people of all ages.

2/25 Update: My initial assessment still holds true. I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the audiobook during a family road trip, and the laughter coming from the back seat was a testament to its charm. It made the journey even more memorable and enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book and its audiobook to anyone looking for a great read or listen. You won't be disappointed.
July 14,2025
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This is my second time reading this story.

A few years ago, I read it aloud to my son. However, my daughter was too young to remember it at that time. So, for her benefit, we re-read it.

This time, we listened to the audiobook read by the author. To my great delight, I discovered that the audio includes actual trumpeting and music!

It really enhanced the overall experience. I could hear the Taps bugle call in my head when reading the print book, but my 9-year-old and 6-year-old couldn't.

Now, I will highly recommend this edition because of that wonderful addition. It makes the story come alive in a whole new way for the children and allows them to better engage with the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

I believe they will have a more memorable and enjoyable experience listening to this audiobook.
July 14,2025
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Maybe it's because I have read too many animal books in a row with my daughter.

However, I spent most of this book wishing it would end. It didn't hold her attention very well either. It started out strong, but quickly lost our interest.

Louis' adventures were too unbelievable for a swan set in an ordinary world where no other animal acts like a human. It was unbelievable yet still incredibly boring and drawn out.

We didn't quite finish it, but I'm done. It only gets 2 stars because I loved the boy Sam and his journal writing that was in the beginning of the book.

Edit: 2 days after declaring I was done reading the book, I was surprised that my daughter begged to finish it. I really didn't think she would even notice.

Unfortunately, the book just got worse and didn't even make sense. Instead of flying away with his sweetheart when she was threatened to have her wing clipped, Louis sends for Sam to come "rescue" them.

Sam proceeds to broker a deal with the zookeeper. If he lets them go free, they will return once a year and give the zoo one of their children! Why in the world didn't they just fly away?

This whole plot twist seems rather absurd and makes the story even less engaging. It's a pity that a book that started with some promise ended up being so disappointing.
July 14,2025
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My kids have an absolute adoration for Stuart Little. I firmly believe that I have read it to them no less than 3 times.

And each and every time I conclude reading it, they eagerly ask me to read it once more. They are also extremely fond of Charlotte's Web.

This particular book is achingly sweet and tender. The humor it contains, similar to that of the other two children's novels, is at a much higher level when compared to other children's books. My kids couldn't help but laugh uproariously.

Honor, patience, and hard work are all beautifully celebrated within the pages of this book. It is truly a story that is beautiful in every aspect. It has the power to touch the hearts of both children and adults alike, teaching valuable lessons while also providing entertainment and joy.

It is no wonder that my kids love these books so much and keep coming back for more.
July 14,2025
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The audio version of this book was truly fantastic!

It added a whole new dimension to the story. My kids and I were completely captivated by it.

What made it even more special was the actual trumpet that was played throughout the book. The sound of the trumpet was so vivid and real, it仿佛 brought the story to life.

It added a sense of excitement and adventure to the narrative. We could imagine ourselves in the scenes, listening to the trumpet and following the characters on their journey.

The audio version really enhanced our reading experience and made the book even more enjoyable for the whole family. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and engaging way to enjoy this wonderful story.
July 14,2025
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That old cob, with its unique charm and character, truly sounds like Shakespeare.

It has a certain elegance and grace in its movements and expressions that can't help but remind one of the great playwright.

The way it holds itself, the way it neighs, it all seems to have a touch of the Bard's magic.

Maybe it's the way it tells a story with its actions, or the way it captures the essence of a moment.

Whatever it is, that old cob has a quality that is both captivating and enchanting, just like the works of Shakespeare.

It makes you stop and take notice, and wonder what secrets and tales it has to tell.

Truly, that old cob is a living embodiment of the beauty and artistry that Shakespeare brought to life on the stage.
July 14,2025
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This is my favorite book written by E.B. White. Among all his works, I have a particular affection for "Charlotte's Web" as it is an extremely popular one. However, "Stewart Little" is a completely different story. I really hated it. In fact, I don't ever want to read it again. I even wonder why they bothered to make a movie out of it! On the contrary, "Charlotte's Web" just warmed my heart. It was not only a heartwarming tale but also great fun to read. The story was filled with interesting characters and engaging情节. And the ending was simply beautiful. It left me with a feeling of warmth and contentment. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.

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