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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.
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.
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.
jfrie65's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so funny and was a great summer read aloud for my big kids.
clellman's review against another edition
4.0
Fun to read (inspired by the swans nesting on Wards Pond), but not E.B. White's best work, imho. Also, illustrations are good, but it's no Garth Williams!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I only just heard about this for the first time, having grown up with White's Charlotte's Web and more lately Stuart Little. This is a little gem, really, a wonderful story about a swan that's unlike his peers, that has a rather unusual adventure.
Thicker than White's others, it's no harder a read though, the length needn't put young readers off. It may be one I read with my son (4) when he's a little older.
On a Canadian lake during a holiday, Sam Beaver discovers and watches a pair of Trumpeter swans as they hatch their eggs... He befriends the pair and meets their brood - including Louis, the cygnet who finds he is mute. As he grows up, his parents realise that this will prevent him from finding a mate, and his father vows to help him find his voice.
I couldn't see exactly where this would take the characters, so it was an enchanting journey with Louis as he finds an artificial trumpeting sound, and tries to pay back the debt he owes for his voice.
Louis's interaction with humans may be unusual for an animal story (he learns to read and write and interacts with a fair feel for normality), but White has done something similar before - Fern can understand Wilbur and Charlotte, Stuart Little can talk to his human family. It's fantasy but in an everyday setting.
Louis makes a very appealing hero. I loved his verbose father and the David Attenborough-like Sam, their human friend. The story shows a fondness for tranquil natural settings and the quaint feel of big cities of the period.
Now, why not make this into a film, as Hollywood has done with both of its predecessors? It would make a very sweet cartoon, and the book would get a much-deserved boost as well.
Just as charming, in its own way, as Charlotte and Stuart.
For read-alone, one for ages 8 and above. For shared bedtime reading, age 6-9 would be about right.
Thicker than White's others, it's no harder a read though, the length needn't put young readers off. It may be one I read with my son (4) when he's a little older.
On a Canadian lake during a holiday, Sam Beaver discovers and watches a pair of Trumpeter swans as they hatch their eggs... He befriends the pair and meets their brood - including Louis, the cygnet who finds he is mute. As he grows up, his parents realise that this will prevent him from finding a mate, and his father vows to help him find his voice.
I couldn't see exactly where this would take the characters, so it was an enchanting journey with Louis as he finds an artificial trumpeting sound, and tries to pay back the debt he owes for his voice.
Louis's interaction with humans may be unusual for an animal story (he learns to read and write and interacts with a fair feel for normality), but White has done something similar before - Fern can understand Wilbur and Charlotte, Stuart Little can talk to his human family. It's fantasy but in an everyday setting.
Louis makes a very appealing hero. I loved his verbose father and the David Attenborough-like Sam, their human friend. The story shows a fondness for tranquil natural settings and the quaint feel of big cities of the period.
Now, why not make this into a film, as Hollywood has done with both of its predecessors? It would make a very sweet cartoon, and the book would get a much-deserved boost as well.
Just as charming, in its own way, as Charlotte and Stuart.
For read-alone, one for ages 8 and above. For shared bedtime reading, age 6-9 would be about right.
srpskimama's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
All kids should read this book, a book for everyone!
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
I did a quick read of this book to help my grandson with a book report. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it. E.B. White had a way of making animals come to life. I thought it was magical but I can see why it might be a difficult read for a third grader. At the same time, I believe it’s important for children to read classic literature even though the terminology and language has changed a lot since when the book was written. I think it gives them a sense of history.