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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that I don't remember reading as a child, but someone must have read it to me, for I was horrified the first time I saw a scene from the movie version--the animated mouse was nothing like the Stuart Little I had in my mind. I couldn't remember anything about how the book ended, though, so I decided to read it now as an adult, only to find out that the reason I don't remember an end is because there really isn't one (which, evidently, is because E.B. White thought he was going to die and decided to rush the book to the publisher. He, of course, lived another 40 years).
The abrupt ending left me a little unsatisfied, simply because there seemed to be such a build up for no reason. But what I did love about this book was White's ability to make a scene as mundane as a mouse trying to brush his teeth seem so fascinating. I'll give the book another try one day, but for now, just three stars.
The abrupt ending left me a little unsatisfied, simply because there seemed to be such a build up for no reason. But what I did love about this book was White's ability to make a scene as mundane as a mouse trying to brush his teeth seem so fascinating. I'll give the book another try one day, but for now, just three stars.
Ugh. I did not care for Stuart Little at all. I liked Stuart Little the movie (which is weird coming from a seasoned reader) plus it's written by E.B White which is why I absolutely had to read the (children's) book. Still a fan of Trumpet of the Swan though xx
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lighthearted book of silly vignettes about a boy who happens to be a 2 inch tall mouse. I had no idea what to expect and thought there would be more of an overall plot, but still it was fun and sometimes funny.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My in-laws gave this book to my child since she enjoyed Charlotte’s Web. I am also a fan of Charlotte’s Web, and I remember reading Trumpet of the Swan as a child and loving it, but for some reason I had never read Stuart Little. The kiddo and I went ahead and read this one today expecting something lovely. Instead, we got a grating, pompous, spoiled, utterly unlikable mouse-man-child born inexplicably to rich humans. He putters around doing nonsensical things, many of which involve showing off how much he knows about boats. His only character development is to become more and more irritating as the book meanders all over the place with no cohesive plot.
At the end of Stuart Little, my eight year old was mad that there was no proper conclusion to the story, and I was left wondering what mind-altering substance Mr. White was using while writing this. I’m glad he was later able to gift the world with some great contributions to children’s literature, but this one really didn’t do anything for me or my kid.
At the end of Stuart Little, my eight year old was mad that there was no proper conclusion to the story, and I was left wondering what mind-altering substance Mr. White was using while writing this. I’m glad he was later able to gift the world with some great contributions to children’s literature, but this one really didn’t do anything for me or my kid.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
This is a relic. Unfortunately, neither Elsa nor I enjoyed this one. It doesn't translate to today and the charm of a boy who is born a mouse was lost in all the rest of it.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can see the charm of the book for some people and my kids (7 and 5 years old) absolutely loved it as a read aloud. I had a harder time with it.
Each chapter in the book is like it's own short story all connected loosely to the overall plot (very common for children's classics). The stories often felt random to me and I would have liked to see more of a plot. When we did get more (about halfway through), the chapters then went back to random (and I do mean random) adventures along Stuart's journey and then the book just ends without even trying to tie up the loose ends of the plot. That was really frustrating for me.
It isn't a bad book. It has a whimsical feel and if you like adventure children's classics, this might be one to try. It just wasn't for me.
Each chapter in the book is like it's own short story all connected loosely to the overall plot (very common for children's classics). The stories often felt random to me and I would have liked to see more of a plot. When we did get more (about halfway through), the chapters then went back to random (and I do mean random) adventures along Stuart's journey and then the book just ends without even trying to tie up the loose ends of the plot. That was really frustrating for me.
It isn't a bad book. It has a whimsical feel and if you like adventure children's classics, this might be one to try. It just wasn't for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I remember liking this but not as much as Charlotte's Web.