Charlotte’s Web is a children’s novel written by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. It was first published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers.
The novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte, who is trying to save his life by writing about him in her web. The book’s main themes are friendship, love, life, death, change, and innocence.
Considered a classic of children’s literature, Publishers Weekly listed the book as the best-selling children’s paperback of all time.
The world is a wonderful place when you’re young.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 3. Escape, Page 18
What do you mean, less than nothing? I don’t think there is any such thing as less than nothing. Nothing is absolutely the limit of nothingness. It’s the lowest you can go. It’s the end of the line. How can something be less than nothing? If there were something that was less than nothing, then nothing would not be nothing, it would be something – even though it’s just a very little bit of something. But if nothing is nothing, then nothing has nothing that is less than it is.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 4. Loneliness, Page 28
When your stomach is empty and your mind is full, it’s always hard to sleep.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 5. Charlotte, Page 32
If you have a new friend here, you are probably disturbing his rest; and the quickest way to spoil a friendship is to wake somebody up in the morning before he is ready.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 5. Charlotte, Page 35
I’ve got a new friend, all right. But what a gamble friendship is!(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 5. Charlotte, Page 41
If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 10. An Explosion, Page 67
Children almost always hang onto things tighter than their parents think they will.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 10. An Explosion, Page 69
People believe almost anything they see in print.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 12. A Meeting, Page 89
I’m not terrific, Charlotte. I’m just about average for a pig.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 12. A Meeting, Page 91
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I don’t understand it, and I don’t like what I don’t understand.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 14. Dr. Dorian, Page 110
Children pay better attention than grownups.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 14. Dr. Dorian, Page 110
Friendship is one of the most satisfying things in the world.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 15. The Crickets, Page 115
It is deeply satisfying to win a prize in front of a lot of people.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 20. The Hour of Triumph, Page 160
You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. (ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 21. Last Day, Page 164
After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. (ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 21. Last Day, Page 164
Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 22. A Warm Wind, Page 176
We take to the breeze, we go as we please.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 22. A Warm Wind, Page 180
It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.(ed. Harper & Row, 1952), Chapter 22. A Warm Wind, Page 184