White, E.B. Illustrated by Garth Williams. 1952. Charlotte’s web. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. 

When Fern Arable rescues a runt pig from the realities of farm life, her father gives the piglet to her to raise. It is love at first sight between Wilbur and Fern until Wilbur grows too large and is sent to live at the Zuckermans’ farm. Wilbur learns to love his new life at the farm, until the day that he finds out what his future holds—a place of honor on the Zuckerman’s dinner table. Charlotte, a spider that lives in the barn with Wilbur is determined to save her friend and writes a series of messages in her web describing Wilbur as “Some Pig”, “Radiant” and “Humble”. The original illustrations by Garth Williams show the developing friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte, and give life to characters including Templeton the Rat, and the menagerie of animals that live on the Zuckermans’ farm. The illustrations, along with the touching story of friendship provided by White remind readers again and again that miracles can be seen anywhere, if only you will open your eyes and look.