I don’t know why I read a children’s book even though I knew it was for children. I think I have just seen so many references to it online that I finally decided to read it so that I would be able to be “in on it” moving forward. Also I was slightly curious what other people were reading as a child (I am not a native English speaker, so I wasn’t reading English books as a child). Also I recently watched a YouTube video analyzing another children’s book—the giving tree—so I thought maybe it’s worth a shot to see if I am able to analyze a book that was meant for children.
I think the overall story is pretty imaginative and interesting. If I were to have children someday I would definitely read a story like this to them. The narrative style was funny. I liked that Wilbur kept asking for definitions—I imagine that’s a good teaching method for teaching kids more advanced vocabulary. I was interested in the fact that Charlotte is more of a giver throughout her and Wilbur’s friendship. It felt like a very unequal friendship—where one party is relying heavily on another for survival but they never really give much back. I understand that Wilbur is giving back by being friends with Charlotte but I wonder if Charlotte was really enjoying that friendship? Judging by their conversations, Charlotte seems to be much more intelligent than Wilbur and she is constantly teaching him stuff. Her almost sacrificing her egg for Wilbur was pretty surprising for the same reason. I am pointing this inequality out partially because it may not be the best friendship dynamic to show children.
I like the way Wilbur deals with Charlotte’s loss. I don’t think children’s content should censor things like death and grief, so I found that very interesting and beautiful. I liked that the animals had different personalities. I liked that Avery couldn’t understand the animals but his sister could. I liked that humans weren’t glorified.
Overall, I’m just glad that it wasn’t a waste of time. It was definitely an interesting and (obviously) easy read.
by Piazytiabet
2 Comments
My Mom read this book to me as a child and it left a really lasting impression on me in regards to sacrifice, friendship, and empathy. She passed away a few years ago and I decided it was time to read it to my kids. My wife had to take over halfway because I basically cried the entire back half of the book. Being a parent now and dealing with the loss of my Mother really gave me a new perspective on Charlotte and what she gave up for the betterment of others. Beautifully crushing book. I hope my kids will carry it forward to their children. I’m glad you liked it. I feel like everyone would be a little better for reading it.
I think you’re picking up on something really real about the book that often gets glossed over because it’s “for kids.” The imbalance in Charlotte and Wilbur’s friendship is kind of the point Charlotte represents a more mature, almost parental form of love. She gives without expecting anything back, which can feel unfair if you read it through an adult lens of reciprocity. But for children, I think it models the idea that not all relationships are transactional, and sometimes care flows more in one direction.