E.B. White's delightful book tells the tale of Wilbur, runt of the litter, who is saved from certain death by Fern, the farmer's daughter. Transferred to the well-managed Zuckerman facility, Wilbur quickly makes friends with the clever spider, Charlotte—a friendship that proves to be more precious than gold. Weaving words in praise of Wilbur's lush, porcine form into her web, Charlotte not only turns the benevolent attention of Farmer Zuckerman towards Wilbur, but she also encourages Wilbur to fatten himself up.

Wilbur wins the ribbon at the county fair as the most plump and juicy pig, and he becomes a local celebrity. Charlotte, meanwhile, is spent from her efforts on Wilbur's behalf, and she dies after laying an egg. From her egg hatch hundreds of baby spiders, some of whom agree to be Wilbur's friend now that their mother is gone. And so as the book ends, the circle of life goes on for Charlotte's children. And if Wilbur is able to find a lady pig and make some baby pigs, the great circle of life will move on for him, as well. But becoming a ham would be equally magical.

Many of you will be fascinated by the touching, if unusual, friendship between pig and spider. Others will be intrigued by issues of corporate pork production and swine nutrition. Whatever your interests, there is something in E.B. White's tender and timeless classic to whet your appetite.