Rebecca Brown Brown itibaren Körpınar, 58700 Körpınar/Zara/Sivas, Turkey itibaren Körpınar, 58700 Körpınar/Zara/Sivas, Turkey

A classic of children's literature, and I can see why -- even for adults, the language is simple yet lyrical, it's storyline bittersweet and just perfect. I've looked forward to reading this to my boys before bedtime each night. Previously, I had hesitated on reading this to them since I didn't think they would be that interested. But a month ago I realized that I wanted them to be familiar with some good literature whether they loved it or not, whether they absorbed it all or not -- so we began with this book. Yes, it's our first chapter book we read aloud together, and even if it's not their new favorite, they loved the experience of being read to. I asked the boys who their favorite character was. My six-year-old's favorite is Avery, Fern's ten-year-old brother. My four-year-old liked the rat Templeton ... until the last chapter when Templeton got fat, and then he changed his mind and said he liked the sheep best instead. But my favorite is Charlotte. From her first "salutations!" she is an endearing, loyal character. Her selflessness is so admirable, and her words so wise! I love the little speech she makes toward the end: "I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that." I'm glad I revisited this book (did I ever read the book as a child, or did I only see the movie?) At any rate, it's still wonderful as an adult, with lots of gems of wisdom and unadorned, beautiful writing. UPDATE 12/23/13: I just finished rereading this to my three-year-old and six-year-old. My daughter was too young for it, but she is excited to watch the movie again. My son was a good listener -- he said he didn't remember when I'd read it to him a few years ago. I enjoyed it just as much this time as last time; this is one of my favorite books!