Ko-hoh! Ko-hoh!

Oh, how deeply I adored this book. I'm aware that I read and cherished it during my childhood, yet I retained few memories of it. Thus, it was nearly as if I was experiencing it afresh. This was especially true since I listened to the audiobook, which was read with such warmth by the author himself, E.B. White. Hearing his voice instantly reminded me of being a little girl being read to by a beloved adult, and it was truly a precious treat.

White masterfully tells the story of the voiceless trumpeter swan Louis, skillfully combining heart, humor, and exquisitely simple prose. He imparts valuable lessons to readers on various aspects such as overcoming obstacles, finding one's place in the world, living with integrity, cherishing nature, and experiencing love, all without being even remotely preachy or overly sentimental. He presents young readers with an exemplary model of extremely high-quality writing, both in terms of substance and construction. They can effortlessly soak it up without consciously realizing it because the story is so much fun. He enriches their vocabularies with the abundance of his words, never condescending to children but rather believing (rightly so) that they can understand far more than we typically give them credit for and can easily pick up the meaning of things through context. My high school American literature teacher was a great admirer of E.B. White, and it's not difficult to see why an educator and lover of the written word would hold him in such high regard.

As for the story itself, it's an absolute hoot! It takes an absurd premise and treats it with sincerity, featuring characters who are all delightfully human - even if they're not actually human. Louis' loving yet pompously garrulous father, the cob, is my personal favorite. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at his long-winded speeches. Louis' human friend, Sam Beaver, is also wonderful, with his own coming of age paralleling that of the swan. It's all great fun and completely enjoyable for readers of all ages, whether young or old.

Five big stars. What a perfect start to this year's Middle Grade March.

This was such a beautiful story about love, friendship, justice, and bravery.

It truly touched my heart and made me think deeply about many aspects of life.

And I think what it was really successful in doing was showing the reader the point of view of these swans, these animals. We are able to see what it'd be like to be them and to live in captivity, to have our wings clipped. It makes us realize that in this situation, us (as in humans) became the enemy.

We often take for granted the freedom that we have, but for these swans, it is a precious thing that has been taken away.

I think that's amazing. It makes us question our actions and how they affect the lives of other beings.

This story serves as a reminder that we should always strive to be kind, just, and brave, and to respect the rights and freedoms of all living things.

It is a story that will stay with me for a long time and continue to inspire me to make a positive difference in the world.

I had, for some reason, never come across this book before!

It was truly adorable. Although it didn't possess the same level of poignancy as Charlotte's Web, it still managed to convey great messages and was filled with humor.

Moreover, who could possibly resist a trumpeter swan that plays Gershwin?

The story was engaging from start to finish, taking the reader on a wonderful adventure.

The characters were well-developed and easy to relate to, making it a joy to read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

It's the kind of book that you can pick up and lose yourself in, forgetting about the stresses of the outside world.

Whether you're a child or an adult, there's something in this book for everyone.

So, if you haven't already, give this book a chance and see for yourself how charming it is!

We listened to this remarkable work on Audible, with the narration skillfully brought to life by E. B. White.

His voice added a unique charm and depth to the story, making it an absolute delight to listen to.

The entire experience was truly fantastic.

White's narration had the power to transport us into the world of the story, making us feel as if we were right there, experiencing every moment along with the characters.

His tone, pacing, and emphasis were all perfectly calibrated, enhancing the overall impact of the narrative.

We were completely engrossed from start to finish, and when it was over, we couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and longing for more.

This audio version, with E. B. White's narration, is definitely a must-listen for anyone who appreciates great literature and captivating storytelling.

It has the ability to touch your heart, stimulate your imagination, and leave a lasting impression.

We highly recommend it to all audiobook enthusiasts.

So delightful!

I had the wonderful experience of reading this aloud to my daughter. The text is filled with a wealth of rich language and detailed descriptions. At times, I felt it might be a bit overwhelming, but my daughter absolutely adored it.

This story was both sweet and hilarious, which made it truly enjoyable for me as well. I found myself completely engaged in the narrative and couldn't help but smile throughout.

I am now eagerly looking forward to reading it again with my other daughters. I'm sure they will have just as much fun as my first daughter did. It's a book that brings joy and laughter to the whole family.

On a recent road trip with my kids, we listened to this wonderful story on CD.

What made it even more special was that it was read by the author himself, EB White!

The story is not only cute and funny but also refreshingly simple.

It had us all engaged and entertained throughout the journey.

The kids were completely absorbed in the charming characters and the lighthearted plot.

As for me, I was able to appreciate the beauty of White's writing in a whole new way.

Listening to his voice bring the story to life added an extra layer of magic.

By the end of the trip, we all agreed that it was one of the highlights of our adventure.

This CD will definitely be a cherished addition to our collection, and we look forward to listening to it again and again.

The RAR Spring book club has been an amazing experience. One of our favorite books is by E. B. White. It's such a wonderful choice.

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading it aloud for the second time to a new group of little ones. Their eyes were wide with excitement and curiosity as they listened intently.

We all thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. And it was truly perfect timing because we are currently studying Louis Armstrong in school. The book seems to tie in beautifully with our studies, adding an extra layer of depth and understanding.

It's amazing how a single book can bring so much joy and learning to a group of children. I can't wait to see what other wonderful books we'll discover in the RAR Spring book club.

This is such a charming, wholesome classic that I would highly encourage any elementary-aged child to read.

Not only is it suitable for individual reading, but it would also make for a fun read aloud session with your child or in a classroom setting.

Although I still have a soft spot for Charlotte's Web and prefer it over this book, the way E. B. White creates such endearing and lovable characters is truly remarkable.

His observant descriptions of life and the natural world are so vivid and engaging that they always manage to draw my heart in, making me feel happy and young once again.

The audio version that I listened to was read by the author himself, which added an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

The actual trumpet songs and notes that were played throughout the narration made it even more immersive and enjoyable, bringing the story to life in a unique and wonderful way.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming and engaging read.

Read aloud with the kiddos for our spring read aloud… along with RAR.

It is truly a great read aloud. We had a wonderful time adding drawings of swans, listening to their calls, and also listening to the songs that are associated with it, which enhanced our enjoyment.

However, it does have some rather strange parts. For example, Louis' father has these long monologues. I understand that they are supposed to be funny, but after a while, they got a little tiresome.

Overall, this book doesn't surpass Charlotte's Web, but it was absolutely enjoyable and was a perfect fit for the spring season.

We will definitely consider reading it again in the future.

Charming, classic tale from the guy who gave us Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. These are equally charming if more iconic works. This story of a Trumpeter Swan who is mute and takes up playing the trumpet is a delightful read. It would be great to read aloud to a young person, perhaps as young as four or so.

Louis, our swan hero, encounters numerous challenges. But he comes out on top through a combination of musical talent, perseverance, good fortune, frugal economics, discrete use of room service, and tough negotiations with zookeepers.

It's a similar concept as in White's other children's books. Animals are just as intelligent as humans (and remarkably savvy about human culture), but they lack the means to use words, so we don't realize it. If you liked those, you'll probably enjoy this one too.

The illustrations in this edition, by Edward Frascino, are also charming and realistic, at least to the extent that a swan playing the trumpet can be.

I revisited this book after a span of 12 years. It was truly a remarkable experience. Even after all that time had passed, I could vividly hear E. B. White’s voice reading it to me. The charm and magic of the book had not diminished in the slightest. It was just as lovely and hilarious as I remembered it to be. The words seemed to dance off the pages and transport me back to the first time I had read it. The characters came alive in my mind, and I found myself laughing out loud at their antics. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of a great book to touch our hearts and bring joy to our lives.

This book had an enchanting effect on me when I was a child.

Throughout most of my childhood years, I would pick it up and read it at least once a year.

The allure of this book was simply irresistible.

I firmly believe that one day, I will surely purchase this book.

My intention is either to read it aloud to my own children, sharing the magic and wonder with them,

or to let them discover the charm of the story on their own.

It is such a captivating and heartwarming tale that it has left an indelible mark on my memory.

I can't wait for the day when I can hold this book in my hands again and pass on its beauty to the next generation.