A Boy, a Mouse and a Spider by Barbara Herkert - ADVISABLE

A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider: The Story of E.B. White by Barbara Herkert, illustrated by Lauren Castillo.  PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION Christy Ottaviano Books (Henry Holt), 2017.  $19  9781627792455  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE   

Elwyn befriended a little mouse when he was a boy and he rather be in the stable with the animals that at school.  As he got older he liked to use words to express his love for the nature and animals.  When Elwyn got older he worked for newspapers and liked to tell his nieces and nephews stories about a mouse.  After he got married he moved to his own farm and started to write the book Stuart Little.  His life around his farm inspired him to also write Trumpet of the Swans and Charlotte’s Web.  

This simple novel tells the story of the much loved author E.B. White. The illustrations are great and Elwyn is an endearing character.  I think young readers will enjoy this book, if someone explains to them who they are reading about and draws the connection to his great books.  There is an author’s note and picture of E.B. White at the back to give more information.  I love Charlotte’s Web, so I loved this book, and I think young readers will be interested as well.  

C. Peterson