Reviews

The Trumpet Of The Swan by E.B. White

sj_west's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

happylilkt's review against another edition

4.0

My son and daughter (6 and 5 respectively) loved this book. They love animals, so even though it has a slow start, they were gripped from the beginning. I love E.B White's writing. So much humor and beauty and he doesn't talk down to kids. I had missed quite a chunk of the readings when my 5th grade teacher read it to us, so I was delighted to read the whole story finally. I would say I liked it better than Stuart Little, but not sure I could rank it quite as high as Charlotte's Web. That book is almost perfect. This one is delightful, though. I think we will probably read it again.

katom513's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Got the book for free at a local book fair and I wanted to reread an old childhood classic before donating it. 

Just as good as I remember it. Highly recommend everyone to read it. Of course keeping in mind that it’s definitely written for middle schoolers (???)

moonbeam4's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

3.0

MUCH weirder than I remembered. The dad is endearing. 

meghanheffernan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

allicatca's review against another edition

1.0

I did not find this book to be fine literature. It was incredibly far-fetched and boring. Such a disappointment after re-reading Charlotte’s Web with my son.

Why would a swan want to learn to read and write if the other swans don’t know how?

I stopped reading halfway through, skipped to the end and read the last two chapters which I didn’t enjoy either. That’s why I give 1 star.

kstephensreads's review against another edition

5.0

Third time reading this book aloud and I still just love it. My favorite EB White.

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved E.B. White as a child, and this was my favorite. I always wanted to eat watercress after reading it, although I am not certain I have ever had it. A truly touching story.

annashiv's review against another edition

5.0

This was exactly what I wanted right now. Wholesome, funny, and quick. The art was also very cute.

embot77's review against another edition

5.0

When I was in elementary school, my teacher sat all us students on the rug and taught us to use our imagination. At the time, I said I imagined being fed grapes reclined in a toga, but really, I saw nothing but darkness. I stole that image from an episode of "The Fairy Oddparents." I wasn't really sure how to imagine, at least not on command.
With this book being composed of very few illustrations, the teacher told us that we would have to use our imaginations while listening to her read the book. As disheartened as I was from my first attempt, I closed my eyes and listened, and, to my surprise, I saw the swan playing the trumpet, flying through the air, spending time with its family.
From this experience with this book, I learned to visualize and immerse myself in the book and every other book I read.