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One of the truly great children's books ever written, Charlotte's Web just celebrated itss 60th anniversary. The book was first published on October 15, 1952, and has become the benchmark against which all other kid's books are judged.
To herald this sixth decade since it first came out, Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo has written a touching and insightful preamble that beautifully translates E. B. White's personal views of the world and the reasons why he loved the changing of the seasons, life on a farm, the miracles of life and the wonder of everything around him.
The tale is a simple one. Fran is a little girl having a bit of trouble making friends and finding her way in the world. She starts spending time with a little piglet she names Wilbur.
After taking care of him, she begs her father not to shoot him (that's what happens to pigs on farms). He acquiesces and Wilbur keeps his life. Ultimately he is moved to Uncle Homer's farm, where Wilbur befriends a very special little spider named Charlotte.
It is an astonishing tale for its simplicity--good and bad and happiness and sadness and all the things that happen everyday in the world around us. It's time to re-read it.
It only gets better.
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Charlotte's Web (60th Anniversary Edition)