Fern raises the little runt pig, Wilbur, only to have her father give him away Sixty years ago, on October 15, 1952, E.B. White's Charlotte's Web was published. It's gone on to become one of the most beloved children's books of all time. To celebrate this milestone, the renowned Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo has written a heartfelt and poignant tribute to the book that is itself a beautiful translation of White's own view of the world?of the joy he took in the change of seasons, in farm life, in the miracles of life and death, and, in short, the glory of everything. We are proud to include Kate DiCamillo's foreword in the 60th anniversary editions of this cherished classic. Charlotte's Web is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur?and of Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to quite a pig. How all this comes about is Mr. White's story. It is a story of the magic of childhood on the farm. The thousands of children who loved Stuart Little, the heroic little city mouse, will be entranced with Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig, and Fern, the little girl who understood their language. The forty-seven black-and-white drawings by Garth Williams have all the wonderful detail and warmhearted appeal that children love in his work. Incomparably matched to E.B. White's marvelous story, they speak to each new generation, softly and irresistibly. Before Breakfast 1(7) Wilbur 8(5) Escape 13(12) Loneliness 25(7) Charlotte 32(10) Summer Days 42(6) Bad News 48(4) A Talk at Home 52(3) Wilbur's Boast 55(11) An Explosion 66(11) The Miracle 77(9) A Meeting 86(6) Good Progress 92(13) Dr. Dorian 105(8) The Crickets 113(5) Off to the Fair 118(12) Uncle 130(8) The Cool of the Evening 138(6) The Egg Sac 144(11) The Hour of Triumph 155(8) Last Day 163(9) A Warm Wind 172