Charlotte's Web (German Edition): Wilbur und Charlotte)

by E. B. White

Hardcover, 2008

Status

Available

Local notes

Fic Whi

Barcode

617

Publication

Diogenes Verlag AG (2008), Hardcover, 157 pages

Description

Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.

Original publication date

1952-10-15

Physical description

157 p.; 5.71 x 0.59 inches

User reviews

LibraryThing member Cait86
Here is another children's classic that I missed as a child, though I was familiar with the story, having watched the movie many times. I am sure the plot is known to you all: a pig named Wilbur is worried that he is going to be Christmas dinner, and so his friend Charlotte the spider attempts to
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save his life by spinning words like "Some Pig" and "Terrific" into her web, which hangs over Wilbur's pen. Also in the barnyard are Fern, the little girl who cared for Wilbur when he was a baby; Templeton, a rat who loves to eat; a goose and gander who are awaiting the birth of their goslings; and various other animals.

The antics of the farm animals are the highlights of this sweet story. I loved the goose, who speaks fast and says everything three times, and Templeton, who is a very crafty rat. White includes many lessons for young readers, specifically the value of friendship. Charlotte's Web is touching, funny at times, and I am sure it would be a great favourite for children. Unlike some of the other children's books I have read lately, Charlotte's Web does not really examine deeper themes or ideas - it is just a book for kids. It was a cute way to spend two hours, but it is not something that I would read again.
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LibraryThing member mybookshelf
Fern believes in justice. She can’t understand why her father would want to kill a newborn pig just because it is smaller than the rest. She adopts the runt to raise as her pet. When Wilbur (the pig) grows too big to be kept at home, he moves to Zuckerman’s farm. Here Wilbur makes many new
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friends, but is especially devoted to Charlotte, the spider, who alone can save Wilbur from a pig’s traditional unpleasant fate.

One of the highlights of this story is the characters. Mainly these are animals, but each has a distinctive personality type, and everyone is presented with good and bad points. For example, Fern is devoted to Wilbur, but her parents are concerned that she only talks to animals instead of playing with other children. Templeton, the rat, is selfish and greedy, but is still a part of the community, and, although he grumbles about it, he does do his part to help out with Charlotte’s plan to save Wilbur’s life. These different personalities, and their distinctive ways of expressing themselves, make the conversations between the animals in the barn a pleasure to read.

Despite an excellent story, there is much to be learned from this text. It promotes the discussion of ethics in a context that young readers can relate to - eating. There is a deliberate connection between Wilbur’s initial repulsion at the spider’s bloodthirstiness and the equally repellent idea that the humans would want to kill and eat a pig. Even Fern’s preliminary rescue of Wilbur from her father’s axe raises the question of ‘in what circumstances is death acceptable?’

In addition, the book drops in many examples of unusual vocabulary and carefully and memorably explains their usage. Charlotte is portrayed as very, very clever, while Wilbur says he’s “just about average for a pig”. So Charlotte often has to explain the words she uses to Wilbur, which is also very convenient for the reader!

One further appealing thing about this text: it is full of food. Wilbur, being a pig, is often preoccupied with his next meal, and Fern’s family always seem to be at the table. Perhaps the most memorable of the many descriptions of food and eating in the book are those of Templeton’s fantasy and its eventual realisation at the fair. Anyway, it’s a subject most children can’t get enough of, and the author has done well to weave it throughout his work.

I would recommend this classic book to all children, ideally around the same age as Fern, who is 8. It is equally satisfying when read independently, or a traditional favourite to be read aloud by parents or teachers. If reading Charlotte’s Web aloud, make sure your audience has a chance to enjoy Garth Williams’ delightful illustrations, too!
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LibraryThing member ChiaraBeth
A masterpiece of children's literature. Few novels written for children stand the test of time like this one does, and I think it's largely thanks to White's simple, pure, and honest writing style. It is a story of friendship, not of a particular moment in time, and it is that friendship and its
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emotions that drive the story, rather than events. Having said that, the events that do happen are charming and full of importance, but they never interfere with what is at the heart of this story: the pure emotions of growth, whether that growth be of a pig, a spider, a little girl, or of a relationship that begins with a thread of trust and weaves into a beautiful web of affection.
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LibraryThing member Purr4kitty2003
Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, is a book I was sure I had read, but could not remember when, so I read it. I have seen the movie a zillion times, but the book itself is so much sweeter. Wilbur, a young pig, is beloved of Fern, the little girl who saved him and kept him as a pet. When he gets to
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big, he goes to live on the farm of Fern’s Uncle, Farmer Zuckerman. After realizing what fate has in store for him, he panics. Charlotte, a lovely spider, rescues him with a gift for writing. Charlotte’s plan to save Wilber from becoming bacon is to write words in her web, describing Wilbur’s many wonderful traits. Of course, the Farmer Zuckerman thinks it is a miracle, as does everyone who sees the phenomenon. Wilber becomes famous. The dramatic plot twist happens at the fair, where Charlotte lays her eggs, and dies. Wilber is heartbroken, but forces Templeton to collect the egg sack of his beloved friend. Charlotte saved his life, and he returns the favor. When the eggs hatch, Wilber is over the moon, but all of the young spiders stay, except three. Wilbur and the spiders live together at the farm.
This is such a precious book, and even knowing what was going to happen, I still cried. There is just something about the characters, they way they tug on the heartstrings, that makes this one of the greatest books for children ever written. The reader feels Wilbur’s fear, and falls in love with Charlotte, a wonderful character who has no other reason to help this little pig than the sweetness and giving nature of her character. The story is completely a fantasy, and yet the reader is able to suspend his disbelief and walk right into the story. Perhaps it is the setting of the farm and all of the very average situations one would see on a farm.
The plot is brilliant and original, although it has been copied by “Babe” and “Gordy”. Charlotte’s Web is the original, and still a perfectly brilliant fable, with characters with whom the reader cannot help but fall in love.
The underlying message is about friendship, and what it means to be a truly good friend. Charlotte does what she can to save Wilbur. She has no reason to do it, except for friendship, and she does it even when it is going to hurt her. Wilbur returns the favor by caring for her babies. It is a truly beautiful story about love.
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LibraryThing member sirfurboy
I read this book when I was 7 or 8, and was loving it - until the extremely sad penultimate chapter, which reduced me to tears and I was unable to complete the book. My mother had to take me through the last chapter, but to me it did not make up for the sadness!

But that does not stop me rating it 5
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stars. It was a wonderful book, beautifully written for children. It just won't leave those children entirely unmoved.

I think it was shortly after this I was allowed to have a guinea pig. My parents obviously thought I needed to learn some lessons about the circle of life!
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LibraryThing member mmmahaffey
Characters:
· Fern Arable (8) – a young farm girl who befriends a pig, and talks to animals
· Mr. Arable & Mrs. Arable – Fern’s farmer father and mother
· Avery (10) – Fern’s brother
· Wilbur- a spring pig
· Mr. Zuckerman – Fern’s uncle who buys Wilbur and keeps him on his
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farm
· Charlotte- an artistic spider
· Templeton- a hungry sneaky rat

Notes:
o Fern saves Wilbur from slaughter p. 2 who she names Wilbur p. 7 (read aloud)
o Fern befriends and feeds Wilbur p. 8-11
o Wilbur goes to live on Zuckerman’s farm where fern visits nearly daily p. 15
o Wilbur makes friends with the other farm animals p. 17
o Wilbur is lonely, but meets a sympathetic friend, Charlotte p. 31
o Charlotte appears and meets Wilbur p. 37
o Wilbur learns that his life expectancy could be cut short p. 49
o Fern’s family thinks she is dingy for conversing with the animals. p. 64 which sends her mom to see the doctor p. 108
o Charlotte begins spinning webs for Wilbur p. 77
o Wilbur draws crowds p. 115
o Wilbur goes to the county fair p. 130, and wins a special prize p. 158
o Charlotte has her eggs p. 144
o Templeton saves the egg sac p. 170
o Charlotte dies p. 171

Subjects/topics: friendship, hope, death, and life

Related titles: Stuart Little, Shiloh

Annotation: This classic story tells the story of compassionate Fern and her love of a runty pig. She saves him from slaughter, but it takes the web weaving of Charlotte, the spider, to attract the attention of the community to save this special pig. The possibility of Wilbur’s death and the death of Charlotte are dealt with sensitively.
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LibraryThing member asousley
Fern saves the runt pig, Wilbur from being killed when he is born. As he fattens up he is again saved by Charlotte, a gray spider. By spinning words into her web that describe the pig as "radiant, terrific, and humble, she makes Wilbur famous. Charlotte is to die at the fairgrounds alone, but not
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before Wilbur is able to bring her egg sac back to the farm so that the babies can be born at the farm. Wilbur never forgets Charlotte and always loves her children. Because of her he lives.

Good story, it shows how friendships can grow by helping each other.

A teacher can use this story to show that caring and friendship can be a lifelong item that everyone needs. Having friends is important. It could also be shown that even though the animals are different, just like people are, we can still try to get along.
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LibraryThing member aliciapeesha
I can't remember the first time I read this book but I would've only been a young child. Despite that, I still realised the magic that is Charlotte's Web. This was the book that got me excited about reading. It is stunning and beautifully written, a true masterpiece. Even now I still read it and
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shed a tear, smile with the characters and laugh. This book truly makes you feel so many different emotions, all beautiful and amazing.
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LibraryThing member ellenflorman
I remember this as one of my favorite books when I was a child.It was also the first book that ever made me cry. I found it just as beautiful reading it today. I have the hardcover editions that has Garth William's beautiful illustrations enhancced with a gentle watercolor.
LibraryThing member BJK1903
A very good plot which makes it a good story. Overall it's very good.
LibraryThing member raymondh
this is a really cute. It also is very funny in some ways.
LibraryThing member crazy4reading
I probably read this book when I was younger if I didn't then shame on me. I love this story a lot. I enjoyed the talking animals and the interaction of them with each other. The goose and gander are so charming with their talk, talk, talk.

This is a must read for all children when they are growing
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up. If you never read the book just take an afternoon to read this story. It will only take a few hours if you read slower then most.
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LibraryThing member claseliteratura
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur and of Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte a arge grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn.With the help of Templeton the rat, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to be quite a pig. Great
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book to teach kids about friendship and loyalty.
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LibraryThing member chron002
Fern loves Wilbur and meets the spider Charlotte to tell her hidden messages. As Fern grows older she forgets about her friends. This is a great book to read to 3rd graders to teach them a lesson on friendship. What a classic!
LibraryThing member dosmus
Charlotte's Web is a great story for elementary readers. It is about Fern, who lives on a farm. Her father's pig bores a litter, which contains a runt. Her father plans to kill the runt, but she wants to keep him. She names him Wilber. He lives on her uncle's farm and everyday she goes to play with
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him. Charlotte is the spider who lives on the farm. In her web she begins to write messages to the community about the pig. This is a good story for children to read.

I read an insert of this to the students. Some said they had heard the story or watched the movie. Others who hadn't said they liked it,especially because it was about animals.

I would definitely read this to my class if I taught the upper grades.I would instruct the students to pick their favorite scheme and paint it. Then, they would share it to the class and tell the other students why they chose that scheme. I would also split the students up into groups of four and have them reenact the major schemes of the story.
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LibraryThing member soonergirlam
Summary:
A pig named Wilbur befriends a spider who lives above his pen, named Charlotte. When the farmer decides that it is time for Wilbur to leave the farm, Charlotte begins using her ability to spin webs to try to help Wilbur.
Personal Reaction:
One of my favorites of all time! I love how this
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book portrays a story of such friendship and a long lasting one at that.
Classroom Extensions:
#1: I would have the children journal about their best friend and how they would feel if their bestfriend had to move.
#2: I would have them tell the story of Charlotte's web from another animal's point of view.
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LibraryThing member MSittig
Charlotte's Web is children's novel written by E.B White. This novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. Charlotte and Wilbur become the best of friends throughout the novel. Charlotte saves Wilbur from being slaughtered by the farmer. Charlotte passes away at the
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end of the novel, so Wilbur is to protect her spider eggs and soon becomes friends with the baby spiders while Wilbur still lives in the barn for the years to come. This novel teaches children about friendship, love, and to never give up.
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LibraryThing member su_library_student
Wilbur the pig is a runt saved by a little girl named Fern. When Wilbur becomes bigger, he is sold to Fern's uncle who intends to eat Wilbur eventually. Charlotte, a spider, comes up with a plan to save Wilbur by weaving various words into her web. The story revolves around these antics.

Children
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and adults will enjoy reading this story which is easy to read and entertaining.
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LibraryThing member tg172415
E.B. White's classic tale of loyalty, friendship, and dealing with the realities of life takes place, for the most part, in a barn cellar in what is probably 1950s middle-America. Its themes, however, are universal. Charlotte's Web begins early on a spring morning in the Arable kitchen.
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Eight-year-old Fern Arable learns that her father is heading out to do away with a tiny pig that was born the night before, and she quickly heads out to correct this horrible injustice. After much discussion, young Fern convinces her father to spare the runt's life, and he allows her to take the responsibility for raising the small pig upon herself. This is how the young pig, christened "Wilbur," begins his life's adventure. The first example of friendship that White provides in Charlotte's Web is that of Wilbur and Fern. Though this is actually more of a mother-child relationship, Fern still shows a great deal of loyalty to Wilbur through most of the book. This relationship parallels that of Wilbur and Charlotte, in some ways, mainly in the fact that Charlotte is quite motherly towards Wilbur at times.

Where Charlotte and Wilbur's friendship surpasses that of the one between Fern and Wilbur is in its staying power. Fern, by the end of the book, has seemingly lost interest in Wilbur, choosing to focus her attentions on a boy. Charlotte, on the other hand, is loyal to the end, even working to save Wilbur's life to the detriment of her own. I really enjoyed this book it has always been one of my childhood favorites. I would recommend it to anyone.
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LibraryThing member bibliophile26
I *love* this book so much that I named my daughter after it. I doubt you need a summary or a review. I can't wait to read this to my children when they are older.
LibraryThing member TobysLibraryThing
Another classic in my mind. It is a story about friendship, love, and hard work. I think that every child should read this book because it is so wonderful.
LibraryThing member kdhayes06
Summary: This is a tale of farm life and friendship above all else. A harsh reality of animals on a farm is that they are there to be sold or worse. A pig in such a circumstance becomes friends with a spider who amazes everyone with her webs. Charlotte enlists the help of other animals and saves
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Wilber’s life and wins the fair. Wilber in return watches after Charlotte’s nest and sends her babies off on their own adventure.

Personal: I can remember crying over this story as a young child. I hate spiders yet I was heartbroken over Charlotte’s death. My father raised cattle and I can remember feeding some of the calves by hand and can still remember the first time I figured out where the meat on my dinner plate came from.

Classroom Extensions:
Literature: This is a familiar story that could be read as a class over a period of time and later tested over certain aspects of the book. Comprehension, Author, Illustrator, climax, or do a book report over.
Science: A fun way to lighten up the study of spiders. Girls might be more inclined to learn how the spider spins their webs after hearing about Charlotte and hers.
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LibraryThing member lacykay9300
In this story a pig named Wilbur feels he is in danger and might be getting sent to the slaughter house. He makes friends with a little spider named charlotte. They try to figure out how to save poor Wilbur form going to the slaughter house. She decides she wants to show the people what a great pig
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he is. She starts spinning words in her webs the describe him. Such as humble. This gets everyone in the towns attention. It ends up saving Wilbur’s life. In the end the spider ides and Wilbur becomes a show pig.
This is a very well written story. It deals with real things that happen in life like death and friendship. I think it would be a great book to read in a class room.
If I was to read this in a class I think I would let them all make a web with one word on it that describes themselves and then they could share it with the class. They would have to explain why they picked that word.
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LibraryThing member firhetrick
Have you ever read a book called Charlotte's Web? Well it has a talking pig and a spider friend. If you want to have a talking pig and a spider then this it he right book for you. This book is only for people that like to read books and like talking animals. Recommended for grades 3 and up.
LibraryThing member lecowan
In this Modern Fantasy tale, a young girl rescues a runt pig from death. Her father sells the pig to her uncle and visits the pig daily. The pig, Wilbur, worries about being killed but finds a spider friend named Charlotte who devises a plan to save his life. Charlotte begins writing positive
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messages about Wilbur in her spider webs. Word about these messages spread and people come from all around to see this miracle about the pig and spider. Wilbur is taken to the county fair where he does well and Charlotte writes messages there that draws attention from the fair goers. Through this Wilbur and Charlotte develop a strong friendship and when Charlotte dies, Wilbur is left to raise her children. This is a timeless tale about friendship and enduring love.

I have always enjoyed this story about Fern, Wilbur and Charlotte. As a farm girl, I could relate to how Fern felt about killing the runts of the litter and was passionate about that myself. I also could relate to having animals at the county fair and some of the weird and mysterious things that would occur at these events. I introduced this story to my children with the movie and they love this story as well.

I would read this story to my students at the beginning of the school year and have them identify the various types of farm animals. Next, I would take them to the local county fair and have them observe these animals and think about how Wilbur would have been at one of these events. I would also arrange for them to visit a local farm to see the farm animals in their natural setting. Another thing a teacher could do is set up a word wall with this book. The categories of this word wall could be places, people, and animals for instance.
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Pages

157

Rating

(6938 ratings; 4.2)
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