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katykelly 's review for:
Stuart Little
by E.B. White
3.5 stars
I'd never read this, but my son and I had watched the film and we decided to read the book together, after seeing this film, and Charlotte's Web / The Trumpet of the Swan.
Having read the others myself, I admit I was disappointed with Stuart Little - it has moments of brilliant invention, but it tails off (sorry, no pun intended) and takes a direction that seems to peter out and lead the reader to an inconclusive end that (certainly for a reader my son's age - almost 5) isn't happy, isn't sad, doesn't feel finished. I had hoped for a conclusion myself, based on the fact that both Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan both end beautifully.
Stuart is mouse-like, though NOT a mouse, son to Mr and Mrs Little, brother to George. Born the size of a mouse, his parents have to adapt their home to his requirements. His mini-adventures include sailing a boat on the lake, becoming a school teacher (for no good reason), driving an invisible car (what? Why does this happen?!) and eventually setting out to look for his lost bird friend, Margalo.
It's the lack of closure that made me rate this lower than I would have liked - he leaves home to look for his friend, meets a few interesting people but keeps on driving. What about his family? Will he ever find her? Isn't he meant to be a boy himself?
Personally, I had to adapt a lot of the language to my son's level - the context of a New York setting is beyond his scope (trash/garbage, quarters and dimes, pants - trousers, etc), though as an adult I found it charming and not an issue.
I must say, I enjoy the way the book was adapted for the screen - with the mouse being adopted and the jealous brother being the issue (as well as a rather evil cat in the house). The book makes this into more a series of episodes that are only connected with the entry of Margalo the bird into the book.
This for me just isn't the classic that Charlotte's Web was in my childhood, nor as lovely as The Trumpet of the Swan turned out to be when I read it recently.
There are useful quizzes and further pages of information on the author at the end of the book.
For readers, it would be suitable from about age 8 or 9, and may need some 'translation' (some Americanisms that need explaining).
I'd never read this, but my son and I had watched the film and we decided to read the book together, after seeing this film, and Charlotte's Web / The Trumpet of the Swan.
Having read the others myself, I admit I was disappointed with Stuart Little - it has moments of brilliant invention, but it tails off (sorry, no pun intended) and takes a direction that seems to peter out and lead the reader to an inconclusive end that (certainly for a reader my son's age - almost 5) isn't happy, isn't sad, doesn't feel finished. I had hoped for a conclusion myself, based on the fact that both Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan both end beautifully.
Stuart is mouse-like, though NOT a mouse, son to Mr and Mrs Little, brother to George. Born the size of a mouse, his parents have to adapt their home to his requirements. His mini-adventures include sailing a boat on the lake, becoming a school teacher (for no good reason), driving an invisible car (what? Why does this happen?!) and eventually setting out to look for his lost bird friend, Margalo.
It's the lack of closure that made me rate this lower than I would have liked - he leaves home to look for his friend, meets a few interesting people but keeps on driving. What about his family? Will he ever find her? Isn't he meant to be a boy himself?
Personally, I had to adapt a lot of the language to my son's level - the context of a New York setting is beyond his scope (trash/garbage, quarters and dimes, pants - trousers, etc), though as an adult I found it charming and not an issue.
I must say, I enjoy the way the book was adapted for the screen - with the mouse being adopted and the jealous brother being the issue (as well as a rather evil cat in the house). The book makes this into more a series of episodes that are only connected with the entry of Margalo the bird into the book.
This for me just isn't the classic that Charlotte's Web was in my childhood, nor as lovely as The Trumpet of the Swan turned out to be when I read it recently.
There are useful quizzes and further pages of information on the author at the end of the book.
For readers, it would be suitable from about age 8 or 9, and may need some 'translation' (some Americanisms that need explaining).