Rereading an old childhood favorite is truly a wonderful experience.

As I picked up that familiar book once again, I was immediately transported back to those precious days of my youth. The story, which I had loved so much as a child, still held its charm and appeal.

The characters were just as vivid and the plot just as engaging as I remembered. It was a solid story that had stood the test of time.

Every page turn brought back memories and filled me with a sense of nostalgia. I found myself completely immersed in the world of the book, forgetting about everything else around me.

After finishing the reread, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for having this wonderful story in my life. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone, whether they are young or old.

It's a book that can be enjoyed by all and will surely bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

One of my childhood favorites was the works of E.B. White.

As a kid, I didn't realize how funny he was. His stories had a charm that captured my imagination from the very beginning.

The characters he created were so vivid and relatable. Whether it was the adventures of Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web" or the misadventures of Stuart Little, I was always eager to turn the page and see what happened next.

Looking back now, I can appreciate the humor and wit that White infused into his writing. His use of language was masterful, and he had a way of making even the simplest of things seem hilarious.

Even as an adult, I still find myself drawn to his books. They are a reminder of the joy and wonder of childhood, and a testament to the power of great storytelling.

I am truly grateful to have discovered E.B. White's works at such a young age, and I will always cherish them as some of my most beloved childhood favorites.

None of the books I checked out from the library today seemed quite right for this evening. So, I decided to browse my personal bookshelf. And lo and behold, The Trumpet of the Swan immediately caught my eye.

As a child, I adored this book. However, I haven't read it since the Battle of the Books in fifth grade. Some of the images were so vivid in my fifth-grade mind that they have remained unchanged despite the passage of 20 years. The cob flying into the music store and Louis asking Sam to slit his webbed feet are two such scenes that have truly stood the test of time. I believe this is a testament to E.B. White's remarkable writing ability. He managed to capture my attention and imagination at the age of ten and has never let go.

The Trumpet of the Swan tells the story of a mute Trumpeter Swan named Louis. His father risks his own dignity to steal a human trumpet for Louis to use instead of his own voice. And then a series of adventures unfold.

Since it is a children's book, I find White's characterizations to be simple yet not dull. The cob is long-winded but dedicated. The swan knows how to push her husband's buttons. Louis is persistent in pursuing his goals. Sam is kind and respectful. They are all rather upright and try to right wrongs, which sets a good example for young readers.

Rereading this as an adult was a great deal of fun, as I was able to pick up on more of White's humor. (I especially enjoyed the cob's verbose speeches.) White definitely injects enough wit and dry humor to entertain adult readers as well.

The only aspects that I felt detracted from my adult rereading were Serena's rather flat character as the female love interest and the hypocrisy of Louis sacrificing future cygnets to the zoo because freedom means so much to him. It was a very strange choice.

All in all, I think this book has stood the test of time rather well. It is not significantly dated (unlike some other books) and it has an inherent wonder for the natural world at its core.

I gave this book a 4.5 rating only because I happened to love Charlotte's Web even more.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to the author-narrated audiobook of this story together with my children.

It was truly such a treat. The author's narration added an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the tale.

As we listened, we were completely immersed in the magical world created within the pages of the book.

The characters came to life in our minds, and we laughed and cried along with them.

My children were completely captivated, and it was a joy to share this experience with them.

Even though I had a slight preference for Charlotte's Web, this book still managed to touch our hearts and leave a lasting impression.

It is definitely a story that I would highly recommend to others, especially those who enjoy spending quality time with their families.

A humorous read with a plethora of little details that serve to inspire the imagination. I had a great liking for Louis, his dad, and his mom. Sam Beaver was also quite okay. He might have been deliberately portrayed a little vaguely, perhaps with the intention of allowing the reader to superimpose himself or herself into the story in his place.

However, I didn't much care for the fact that Sam never disclosed the secret he began keeping in Chapter One to his dad, and nothing ever came of it. It was a harmless secret, but if the author is going to introduce the concept that it's acceptable for kids to casually keep secrets from their parents sometimes, even if they feel a bit strange about it, maybe it should be given a bit more attention? Or perhaps it would have been better to save it for another story.

Overall, I truly relished the mashup of naturalistic realism and surreal whimsy. And let's not forget the wonderful music references. They added an extra layer of charm to the entire narrative. It was a delightful read that left me with a smile on my face and my imagination running wild.

Oh, Louis the Swan and your grand adventures!

It was an absolute delight to spend our bedtime engrossed in reading about you and your remarkable travels. You journeyed all the way from the Canadian wilderness to your home in Montana, and then on to seek success in Boston and Philadelphia.

What a beautiful and inspiring lesson you illustrate about being different and having the courage to overcome obstacles. You show us that we can use what makes us unique to truly shine and stand out.

I have always adored EB White’s three books for children, but I had somehow forgotten just how deeply I love The Trumpet of the Swan. The beautiful simplicity of the way White writes a narrative is truly captivating, and his descriptions are nothing short of breathtaking.

It is as if he paints a vivid picture in our minds with his words, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the magical world of Louis and his friends.

This book is not only a wonderful bedtime story but also a valuable life lesson that will stay with us long after we have finished reading.

I have an intense love for E.B. White's writing! I had been eagerly anticipating reading this particular work as I couldn't recall ever reading it during my childhood (I might be mistaken, but it didn't seem familiar to me) and I was absolutely not disappointed. It is extremely challenging to precisely identify what it was that I adored so deeply in this story, but adore it I most certainly did. What a tender and exquisitely written tale it is. Louis is a charming protagonist, and witnessing his growth and development from a tiny cygnet to a powerful Trumpeter swan, all without the gift of a voice, was a source of joy and inspiration to behold. I truly loved it from start to finish. Louis's father is an especially endearing character, with his unwavering dedication to his family and his long, poetic speeches.

As much as I loved Louis and his drive and determination (to learn to read and write, to master playing the trumpet, to earn money to repay his father's debt, and to win the love of Serena), I was also quite captivated by the boy, Sam. I found his habit of writing in his journal before going to bed to be very sweet and charmingly introspective.

“Every night, before he retired, he would pen entries in the book. He wrote about the things he had accomplished, the things he had witnessed, and the thoughts that had crossed his mind. Sometimes he would even draw a picture. He always concluded by posing a question to himself, so that he would have something to ponder while drifting off to sleep.”

5 stars-

At some point during my childhood, if someone had asked me what my favorite book was, this would have been the one I pointed to. I happened to come across a copy of it in a used bookstore, and immediately thought to myself that I had to give it a reread.

What I discovered upon rereading is that it is still an absolute delight! I am well aware that nostalgia plays a huge factor in my perception, but I firmly believe that it is also a really sweet and heartwarming story. It delves into themes such as overcoming disability, the power that lies within our weaknesses, and the unpredictability of the course of our lives. The character of the father, Cob, is extremely funny and adds a great deal of charm to the story. Louis, the protagonist, encounters a variety of colorful characters throughout his journey, which makes the narrative even more engaging.

However, the only aspect that hasn't aged particularly well is that there are a few offhand comments about people looking like "Indians." It's important to note that it's not described in an intentionally derogatory way, but it was the only thing that really stood out to me as feeling a bit dated.

Overall, it's a really lovely story that I should make an effort to revisit more often. It has the ability to transport readers back to a simpler time and remind them of the importance of perseverance and the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places.

The word that immediately springs to mind for this story is gentle. It is also honest, straightforward, and simple. But above all, it simply feels like an act of kindness that the author has bestowed upon the reader. The appeal here is truly timeless. The unassuming characters, the profound sense of morality (even among swans), and the humility of the main characters will always resonate in any story, regardless of the time and place. It's truly rare when a book can offer us such a feeling.

The story begins by following Sam, a teenage boy, through the opening chapters. However, after he discovers and forms a connection with a family of trumpeter swans, the perspective shifts to that of the swans. The swans are remarkably intelligent, with one of them, Louis, being even more so than the others. But unfortunately, Louis was born without a voice. He is unable to "trumpet" like the other swans. The remainder of the story unfolds as his parents and Louis search for a way to overcome his disability.

The pace of the story is deliberately slow. Once again, that word "gentle" comes to mind. And that's perfectly fine. Just like Sam, we are on a sort of nature walk here. We take in the sights as they present themselves. We're not in a rush. And witnessing Louis grow up, gain his independence, and learn to create his own unique kind of music is a joy that unfolds at its own unhurried pace.

This is not a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat plot-wise. However, I can envision children devouring it as they eagerly race to discover what strange and wonderful things Louis will do next. In some respects, it is an unconventional story. The reader never quite knows where Louis will ultimately end up. But as long as Louis is in the story, we are curious to find out. In other ways, it is somewhat predictable and obvious since we know that Louis will overcome every obstacle in the simplest, most direct, and rightest way possible. There is a certain comfort in that. We're not reading this for the feeling of surprise or the promise of emotional catharsis. We're reading it to accompany our friend through the difficult times. Because when he spreads his wings, it will be a truly glorious sight.

Although this book is clearly written for children, it can also be enjoyed by adults, but only a particular kind of adult. One who is not seeking sophistication, gravitas, heart-pounding excitement, or romance. It requires the sort of person who is not overly impressed with "grown-up" sensibilities. It takes someone who is willing to let down their guard and remember that before there were causes, lines in the sand, busyness, career advancement, doubt, and skepticism, we used to look at nature with wonder. We used to imagine what the animals were communicating in their barks, honks, and bleats. We used to listen to music with fresh ears and consider a trip into the city as a grand adventure. We used to have the capacity for amazement. Now, after countless box-office blockbusters, I'm not so certain that many of us still possess that capacity.

Oh, to have those times back again. And yet, somehow we discover that, by reading books like this, at least for a brief moment, if we allow them to work their magic on us, we can recapture that sense of wonder and amazement.

I absolutely loved everything about this sweet story!

It was truly a wonderful experience as it was our family read aloud. We all gathered together, cozy and excited, to embark on this literary journey.

As we read through the pages, we were completely engrossed in the narrative. The story had such a charm that it captured the hearts and imaginations of every family member.

What made it even more special was the thoughtful conversation that ensued. We discussed the characters, their actions, and the lessons that could be learned from the story. It was a great opportunity for us to bond as a family and share our thoughts and feelings.

This sweet story will always hold a special place in our hearts and will be remembered as a cherished family moment.

The story initially got off to a rather slow start. However, as it progressed, it transformed into something highly entertaining. It has the power to captivate the attention of the entire family.

When read aloud, it creates a wonderful atmosphere for family bonding. The characters come to life, and the plot unfolds in a way that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.

It is not just a story; it is an experience that brings the family together. Whether it's a quiet evening by the fireplace or a rainy day indoors, this book is a great choice for a family read aloud.

It has the potential to become a cherished family tradition, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, if you're looking for a book that can engage and delight the whole family, give this one a try.

As a child, I had an intense liking for this book. It was a source of great joy and entertainment for me. However, upon reflection, I have decided to rate it 3 stars. The reason for this is that swans, which are often depicted in a beautiful and graceful light, are actually assholes.

Children should be made aware of this fact from a very early age. It is important for them to understand that not everything that appears beautiful on the outside is necessarily kind or friendly. Swans may look majestic with their white feathers and long necks, but their behavior can be quite the opposite. They can be territorial, aggressive, and even mean.

By learning about the true nature of swans, children can develop a more realistic and discerning view of the world around them. It will help them to be more cautious and less trusting of things that may seem appealing at first glance. This knowledge can also serve as a valuable lesson in life, teaching them to look beyond the surface and see the true character of people and things.