Charlotte's Web

[PiePie]

Can we have a thread devoted to singing the praises of this "terrific" "magnum opus"? I love how Charlotte balances motherhood, friendship, and work (writing). She's my favorite feminist icon.

[Thalia the Muse]

Sob, sob! I can't even see the thread title without choking up.

That said, it's such a lovely book. I love E.B. White.

[purplemama]

Oh, I so love this book and I love Charlotte, although I really have arachnophobia. When I read it as a child, I bawled my eyes out. I'm hoping the movie will be just as good as the book (although that's not usually the case).

[Mylittlevowels]

I cry everytime I read it!

[katybear mama]

Can't wait for the movie & love the book!

Charlotte was so well balanced, spiritual & wise. Very Lama-like.

[PiePie]

you said it, katybear mama! "Never hurry and never worry."

[sapphire_chan]

I never really understood why a big deal was made about Wilbur and not about Charlotte. If I found a spiderweb that said "marvelous rabbit" in my front yard one day, I'd be trying to find out what else the spider could do--not looking around for the rabbit.

[Mylittlevowels]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I never really understood why a big deal was made about Wilbur and not about Charlotte. If I found a spiderweb that said "marvelous rabbit" in my front yard one day, I'd be trying to find out what else the spider could do--not looking around for the rabbit.

Wasn't that sort of touched on in the book? Someone says something about the amazing spider and everyone is like, "Screw that, it's all about the pig!"
But I think I'd wonder about the pig, too, I mean he must be great if the spider is going to all that trouble to mention him in her web

[BookGoddess]

Charlotte's Web is one of my favorite childhood stories. It's all about the lady spider. Wilbur would have been ham and bacon had it not been for Charlotte.

I also cry everytime I re-read the book or see the cartoon version on TV.

[PiePie]

sapphire-chan: I just reread the book, so I am here to report that Mrs. Zuckerman does in fact state that it is all about the spider, and she gets ignored. I think E.B. White is making a statement about women's work and women's voices and how they get ignored.

[mama ganoush]

jade is reading it right now. :

[jaye]

I just read it to my son, and he had to take over reading the parts where Charlotte is going to die because I was crying.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by PiePie

sapphire-chan: I just reread the book, so I am here to report that Mrs. Zuckerman does in fact state that it is all about the spider, and she gets ignored. I think E.B. White is making a statement about women's work and women's voices and how they get ignored.

Ah, okay. It's been a while since I read the book so I couldn't remember what discussion there was on that score--just that I was confused about it. Now that you've refreshed my memory, I do remember her saying that and I remember being annoyed that they ignored her.

[carmel23]

I really love this book. We read it to my son when he was 3 years old every night for his bedtime story and he loved it.

The movie is actually pretty faithful to the book--and the music is by the same guys who did the music for the Mary Poppins movie... so there are some catchy tunes...

I love Mary Poppins too and have tried reading the book to my ds, but he kind of tuned out... but there is a lot in this about women's sufferage and the role of women in the family and father's roles as well...

[PiePie]

carmel23: huh. maybe i should take up poppins next.

[Attila the Honey]

I just read this to my dd, and she loved it but I have to admit that I skipped the end. They went to the fair and all lived happily ever after. :

She's only 3 and I didn't have the heart to let her know Charlotte dies! We will re-read it again someday and I will read the whole thing to her. Just not yet.

(Not to mention, I thought watching her mama sob before bed would trouble her too much. )

[meemee]

Originally Posted by Attila the Honey

I just read this to my dd, and she loved it but I have to admit that I skipped the end. They went to the fair and all lived happily ever after. :

She's only 3 and I didn't have the heart to let her know Charlotte dies! We will re-read it again someday and I will read the whole thing to her. Just not yet.

(Not to mention, I thought watching her mama sob before bed would trouble her too much. )

this is the exact reason i have not read the book to my 4 year old yet.

[Thalia the Muse]

It's also the exact reason why my daughter shall never know The Velveteen Rabbit, until she's old enough to read it by herself when I'm in another room.