A boy, a mouse, and a spider : the story of E.B. White

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Title:

A boy, a mouse, and a spider : the story of E.B. White

Author:

Herkert, Barbara, author.

Castillo, Lauren, illustrator.

Summary:

When young Elwyn White lay in bed as a sickly child, a bold house mouse befriended him. When the time came for kindergarten, an anxious Elwyn longed for the farm, where animal friends awaited him at the end of each day. Propelled by his fascination with the outside world, he began to jot down his reflections in a journal. Writing filled him with joy, and words became his world. Today, Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web are beloved classics of children's literature, and E. B. White is recognized as one of the finest American writers of all time.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color iiustrations ; 26 cm

Genre:

Biographies.

Personal Subject:

White, E. B (Elwyn Brooks), 1899-1985-Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

Authors, American -- 20th century -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.

Children's stories -- Authorship -- Juvenile literature.

Author(s):

Castillo, Lauren,

Publisher:

Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt and Company,

Publication Date:

2017

ISBN:

9781627792455

Publication Information:

New York : Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt and Company, 2017.

Call Number:

J 920 WHITE

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003259622	Juvenile Nonfiction	920 WHITE	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A lyrical biography of E. B. White, beloved author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Caldecott honoree Lauren Castillo.

When young Elwyn White lay in bed as a sickly child, a bold house mouse befriended him. When the time came for kindergarten, an anxious Elwyn longed for the farm, where animal friends awaited him at the end of each day. Propelled by his fascination with the outside world, he began to jot down his reflections in a journal. Writing filled him with joy, and words became his world.

Today, Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web are beloved classics of children's literature, and E. B. White is recognized as one of the finest American writers of all time.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Author Notes

Barbara Herkert is the author of Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter . She has her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University, and lives in Oregon.

Lauren Castillo is the author-illustrator of many books for young children, including the Caldecott Honor-winning Nana in the City , Melvin and the Boy and The Reader, written by Amy Hest. She currently lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-5-The lean, carefree verse treads lightly through events in E.B. White's life and occasionally lingers on rich, imagistic descriptions of the rural rhythms that so inspired him ("Elwyn's senses sharpened/to the ripe scent of manure,/the creak of harness leather,/the perfect shape of eggs..."). These particular moments shine and could provide useful material for poetry units on writing using the senses. Herkert presents White's life as relatively untroubled, creating a harmonious feeling that may fill some readers with peace and may lull others to sleep. Castillo's friendly ink-and-watercolor illustrations also contribute to the sense of cheerful pleasantness. Curiously, while the text does elaborate on how and why White wrote Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web, it makes no mention of The Trumpet of the Swan outside of the author's note. (The author's note also provides additional context and information on important dates, details, and awards.) VERDICT Herkert's poetry is a delight to the senses, though the overall package is on the slight side. A winsome picture book biography to pair with Melissa Sweet's Some Writer!: The Story of E.B. White.-Kate Stadt, Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, MA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Herkert and Castillo pay tender tribute to Elwyn White who, as E.B. White, would write three enduring books for children: Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan. In a subtle narrative structured like verse, Herkert dwells on White's childhood, on the foundational connections he made to nature (including a mouse he secretly kept in his room), and his attentiveness to his natural surroundings: "His ears captured/ an owl's query,/ the breeze's beckoning,/ the scuffing of horse hooves." Castillo uses brown ink, soft watercolors, and digital manipulation to create sturdy, nostalgic scenes of city and country to accompany the development of White's writing and family life. Rich and rewarding. Ages 5-9. Author's agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator's agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.