Beloved 1952 Children's Book is One 'Everyone Should Read At Least Once,' According to Goodreads
Some pig. Two little words that have meant so much to multiple generations.
Published in 1952, Charlotte's Web by E. B. White is a sweet story about friendship and unlikely connections. The story is a classic and required reading for many young ones, and is a book "everyone should read at least once" according to Goodreads. Since its publication, Charlotte's Web has gone on to sell more than 45 million copies world wide and has been translated into 23 different languages.
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Charlotte's Web tells the story of Wilbur the pig, the runt of a litter on the Arable family farm who is saved by Fern Arable from slaughter when he's a baby. Fern raises Wilbur and the two become best friends until her father says it's time to sell him. Going to live on Fern's Uncle Zuckerberg's farm, Wilbur learns that he's being raised to be eaten, much to his dismay. In his pen, he is comforted by a barn spider, Charlotte, who promises to find a way to save his life.
The story of Wilbur and Charlotte explores the themes of death, change, growing up, and innocence. Upon its release, The New York Timesreview about the book said: "As a piece of work it is just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done." The book would become the most famous of White's, however he and his family kept the barn and farm that served as inspiration for the story private from the public.
Charlotte's Web has been adapted into movies and a limited series over the years. First, with the animated feature in 1973 and then again in 2006 with the live-action version starring Dakota Fanning and Julia Roberts. In 2022, a mini-series was planned for release on HBO Max. The series was released in the fall of 2025 and starred Amy Adams, Elijah Wood, Jean Smart, Cynthia Erivo, Danny Trejo, and more.
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 4:47 AM.