Charlotte’s Web, the much-loved children’s book centered around Wilbur, a runt pig, and his intelligent friend Charlotte, a spider who saves his life, holds a special place in my memory for a very particular reason. My third grade teacher read this wonderful book to our class, and the following week, our class went on a field trip to a movie theater to watch the just-released Charlotte’s Web movie (1973).
For most of my classmates, that field trip was simply a fun and thrilling break from the classroom routine. However, for me, it was an entirely unprecedented and magical adventure. I was the child of a fundamentalist minister, and in our household and church, going to the movie theater was strictly forbidden. This prohibition dated back to the Puritan era and the time of Shakespeare. I was completely astonished when my mom signed my field trip permission slip, allowing me to go with my class. It was my one and only visit to the movies until I was old enough to drive and would偷偷溜出去 on my own to catch Saturday matinees at the mall theater.
I also vividly recall our return to the classroom after watching the movie. The teacher led a discussion among the class about our thoughts on the movie and how it compared to the book. My contribution to the discussion was that I was disappointed that the movie didn’t include the events described in the book chapter titled Escape. This chapter was about young Wilbur’s wild but short-lived escape from his pen.
This book and the movie it inspired were responsible for one of the truly magical moments of my childhood.
"Words gave her courage." This sentence has been etched in my mind as I have read it countless times. And just recently, I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook for the first time. This book is truly one of my all-time favorites. Ever since my teacher read it to my class, it has held a special place in my heart. Even as an adult, when I read it to my students, its magic never fades. It is, and always will be, a story that tugs at the heartstrings. The writing is absolutely eloquent, the narration captivating, and the characters unforgettable. The story delves deep into the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of words. The Garth Williams images are still as beautiful as ever, evoking vivid imagery in my mind. Each character adds to the overall beauty and charm of the story. Thank you, E. B. White, for creating this masterpiece. I fall in love with this story all over again each time I re-read it. I still cherish my childhood copy that I read with my grandmother and then my parents. It will forever be a favorite and a precious childhood memory. “‘Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.’” WILBUR AND CHARLOTTE. Forever 5/5.