Charlotte’s Web is one of my favorite books and a children’s classic. A dear friend of mine, Leah Stoller, who taught 5th graders at P. S. 11 in The Bronx in the 1950s received a very special handwritten response to her class’s questions to the author, in the days prior to mass printed responses or instant internet communications.

I am most grateful to her for allowing me to share her treasured correspondence from E.B. White.

N. Brooklin, Maine
20 May 1959


Dear Members of Class 5-2,


Please forgive me for not writing sooner - I am sick abed, and writing is difficult for me. I loved your letters. You must have a very kind and thoughtful teacher in Mrs. Stoller, and I am grateful to her for reading my book to the class.


I shall try to answer a few of your questions. You asked how I got the idea and what made me want to write "Charlotte's Web”. Well, it happened like this - -


Years ago I bought a home in the country, here in Maine. There was a big barn on the place - attached to the house through a woodshed. I have always been fond of animals, and soon my barn was full of them. I used to buy a spring pig every year and raise it. And I kept sheep and geese and hens. One day I noticed a large grey spider - she was constructing a web in the doorway of the barn cellar. I stood and watched her. She looked something like this. (His drawing of the spider)
 
For many days I paid her a visit every time I went to the barn. Then I gave her the name Charlotte and began writing a story about her. I wanted to put into the story my love for animals and for the barn and for the world. Three years later I finished it. (One thing you can learn from animals is patience.)


Many descendants of Charlotte still live in my barn-- Some years there are a great many, other years only a few, but never a springtime that does not reward me with some of her great-great grandchildren.


Thank you all again for your letters, and please tell Mrs. Stoller that I thank her, too.


Sincerely,


E.B. White


P.S. My only books for children are "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web." When you get to be a few years older you might like to read "One Man's Meat."