Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams

The classic tale about rfrienship between a spider and pig. Wilbur is born the runt of the litter, but thanks to a little girl named Fern her father keeps him instead of killing him. Wilbur and all the other farm animals can talk and Wilbur soon learns to fear that the farmer may still kill him. Charlotte's vows to help her friend and she decides to use her web to show the farmer just how special Wilbur is. When messages like "Some Pig" and "Terrific" appear in Charlotte's web Wilbur gains some celebrity attention drawing people to the farm from far and wide to see the special pig.

As Wilbur is getting ready to go to the county fair he begins to worry about Charlotte. His friend just doesn't seem to have the same spunk. Charlotte is concerned about finishing her egg sac because she knows that her days are numbered. Eventually Charlotte tells Wilbur that soon she will die, but she tries to make Wilbur focus on the fact that he will live and that should be celebrated. Wilbur plays the hero when he saves Charlotte's egg sac, ensuring that Charlotte's babies will be born. When the baby spiders do emerge from the egg sac all but three float away. The three who remain befriend Wilbur, which makes him happy even though he will never forget Charlotte.

Genre: Fiction/Classic

White, E. B. (1952). Charlotte's web. New York: Harper.