Charlotte's Web
Still the best first novel to read aloud to a child, and still the one that will break you.
Why they ask for it again
It opens with a girl stopping her father and his axe. A child hears that first line, and they are in.
Our review
Wilbur is a runt pig saved from slaughter, first by a girl named Fern and then by Charlotte, a grey spider who writes words in her web to convince the farmer he is worth keeping. "Some Pig." "Terrific." "Radiant." "Humble." It is funny, it is gentle, and it takes its time.
Then Charlotte dies, alone, at the fairground, and the book does not look away. For many children, this is the first honest encounter with death in a story. White's prose is so plain and so perfect that reading it aloud is a pleasure in itself, even when your voice gives out.
How to read it aloud
Make Templeton the rat a selfish delight, and let Charlotte be cool and dry. Read the last chapters on a night when you have time to stay and talk.
The catch
A beloved character dies, and it hurts. Do not read that chapter at the very end of a rushed bedtime.
Is it scary?
Slaughter is a threat throughout, and a major character dies. Many kids cry. That is partly the point.
Books like Charlotte's Web, and what to read next
The Wild RobotThe modern echo: an unlikely mother, and an equally big heart.
Moominland MidwinterA quieter, stranger book about growing up.
Pippi LongstockingIf you both need something very silly after that ending.
Also good for
Quick answers
What age is Charlotte's Web for?
Ages 5–11. The sweet spot, in our opinion, is age 6 to 9.
How long does Charlotte's Web take to read aloud?
About 4 hours in total, or 20 minutes a sitting. This is our estimate at a calm bedtime pace.
Is Charlotte's Web scary?
Slaughter is a threat throughout, and a major character dies. Many kids cry. That is partly the point.
What should we read after Charlotte's Web?
We would suggest The Wild Robot, Moominland Midwinter, Pippi Longstocking.