Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a classic in children’s literature, known by generations of readers for its heartwarming themes of friendship, love, and determination.
When Fern saves Wilbur’s life, a runt piglet who is destined for worse, the two form an inseparable bond. As Wilbur befriends animals on the farm, those who love him pull together to save him. Among the animals is Charlotte, a creative and determined spider who communicates how Wilbur is feeling through the words she weaves into her web.
Beloved by readers of all ages, Charlotte’s Web has inspired several read-alikes throughout the years. Whether you’re a young reader searching for another story that will echo the themes of White’s pages, or a grown-up searching for a perfect novel to share with a youngster that’s similar to Charlotte’s Web, we’ve got you covered.
Below are titles for you to share with loved ones that will remind you of Charlotte’s Web. The pages are filled with stories of love and loyalty, kind-hearted animals, and imaginative tales to whisk your heart away. To put it as Charlotte would, these books are “radiant.”
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Louie doesn’t have a great track record with pets…in fact, he’s lost quite a few. So when his uncle arrives with a weak baby donkey, nobody believes Loui when he says he’ll nurse him back to health.
As the donkey grows stronger under his care, the two form an incredible bond. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Charlotte’s Web, this slim novel is full of heart.
This sweet story by Cynthia Lord is about Emma, who is nervous to be starting school for the first time ever. The night before she enters 5th grade, she accompanies her dad, a game warden, on a call to rescue a rabbit.
After convincing her dad to let her take the rabbit home, she finds out that maybe the cute furry creature is the key to helping her connect with her classmates. A sweet, relatable tale that will be devoured by kids who might be nervous about making friends, this story is all about how our furriest friends can break the ice.
The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Jodi Kendall
Reading like an updated version of Charlotte’s Web, this story is full of love. When Josie’s older brother brings home a runt piglet on Thanksgiving, Josie immediately falls in love. Convincing her parents she can care for the pig, they give her until New Year’s to prove that she can be responsible enough.
As she grows closer to the piglet, whom she names Hamlet, Josie navigates through difficult friendships, works for success on her gymnastics team, and finds ways to carve out space in her crowded family. But when the neighbor catches wind that there’s a pig living next door, Josie will need to devise a plan to keep Hamlet safe before the town officials take him away.
After you finish this book, pick up the second book to follow Josie’s journey, called Dog Days in the City.
For a novel in verse that’s a quick, fun, and quite emotional read, check out Love that Dog by Sharon Creech. Jack’s teacher is teaching the class how to write poetry, which he’s not a fan of.
But as he gives it a try, he starts to pour emotions into the poems, including those about his dog. Once you finish this novel and fall in love with it, check out the sequel, Hate that Cat.
Maxi’s Secrets: (Or, What you can Learn from a Dog) by Lynn Plourde
When Timiny and his family move to a new town in Maine so that his father can be principal of the school, Timiny’s dog, Maxi helps him make new friends. And that’s not an easy thing for him, since he’s a lot smaller than his classmates.
As he makes new friends and finally begins to feel as though he’s fitting in, a storm sweeps through town, and Maxi pulls through for Timminy. A story of friendship, bullying, and loyalty, this novel is a beautiful book to share with youngsters or read on your own.
This sweet story of a little girl and her service dog will warm your heart and is a great read-alike for fans of Charlotte’s Web. Stella was a working dog who had severe anxiety after she missed the scent of an explosive, ending in tragedy for her handler.
Given a second chance, she’s been adopted by a young girl named Stella who suffers from seizures. Stella’s job is to warn the girl’s family right before the seizures occur, but how can she keep her safe when she has such anxiety? A beautiful story of two souls finding each other, this is a wonderful read-aloud to share with youngsters.
Chester is a dog with big dreams: to train and become a service dog. But when he fails his certification test and a family adopts him to be their son’s companion dog, he realizes that he’s just met his person.
When he realizes that Gus acts differently than a lot of people because of his autism, Chester has to figure out a way to connect with him. And he will, because Gus is now his person. A beautiful story about a dog’s loyalty, this is the perfect book to share with young ones.
Bixby Alexander Tam, or as his friends and family call him, Bat, sees the world differently and has trouble connecting with his classmates. When his veterinarian mom brings home a baby skunk, Bat knows they belong together.
Not surprisingly, his mom isn’t wild about having a skunk as a pet, and Bat knows he must prove to her that he needs this new companion. For a sweet, heart-warming story about finding friends, pick up A Boy Called Bat and the rest of the series.
This sweet story in verse will tug on your heartstrings. Follow along as Buddy is left behind when his boy moves to a new apartment where animals aren’t allowed. In that same town, a boy named Mark is desperate for a dog. When the two cross paths, they’re exactly what each other needs.
Ivan has captured the hearts of readers for years, and now this novel has been adapted to a film. Ivan, a gorilla, has gotten used to his life at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where he’s on display for people to come and see him. Creating art is his only outlet.
When a new baby elephant named Stella arrives, Ivan begins to see his life through her perspective, and change is necessary. After you read this novel, dive into The One and Only Bob.
One morning, Lily’s black lab takes off across a blueberry field, only slowing down when tempted by a peanut butter sandwich offered to him by migrant worker Salma. As the two form an unlikely friendship, Lily and Salma team up to make Salma’s dream of becoming the Blueberry Pageant Queen.
Dan Gemeinhart is a wonder: every book he writes hooks readers and leads them to explore feelings. Good Dog is the story of a dog named Brodie who has just died, but whose spirit is still in limbo. Desperate to make sure his boy is safe before moving on to his afterlife, Brodie faces risks and adventure. A beautiful, heart-wrenching story with some dark undertones, this book is wonderful for more mature middle grade readers.
A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin
For readers who love stories about adventurous animals, this book is for you. Squirrel and her brother Bone live with their mother behind a shed, before being separated from her. As the two venture out into the world, trying to survive, they are eventually separated.
Squirrel makes her way, journeying through life with new companions, and experiencing wonderful and heartbreaking situations. Readers will love seeing the world through the eyes of a strong, courageous dog who never gives up.
Swift is a wolf cub who lives surrounded by the safety of his family. But when another wolf pack invades their land, Swift and his family must scatter to survive.
As Swift sets out on an adventure to find a new home, he faces dangers: humans, other animals, and the unknown. See the world through a wolf’s eyes, and join Swift on his brave journey.
Kate DiCamillo knows how to write for children, and Flora and Ulysses is proof. A silly, entertaining novel, fans of Charlotte’s Web will delight in these pages.
When a small squirrel is rescued by Flora after being sucked into a vacuum, they are both surprised to find that the squirrel has superhero powers. Perhaps the best of all? Ulysses’s ability to write poetry. A graphic novel and prose hybrid, this fun read will have readers giggling along with the antics of Flora and Ulysses.
In a small town, an old tree watches everything that happens, and narrates the story of Wishtree. Surrounded by animals that live in its branches, the tree has stood witness to decades of the towns’ history. Never before has the tree felt the need to speak up about anything, until now.
When a new family moves to town, cruel messages are left on the tree, and the Wishtree knows now is the time. But how can a tree capture the attention of humans? And can it make a difference?
A beautiful novel that will inspire many conversations, this is a wonderful read-aloud to share with your family or class.
Based on a true story, this book will delight readers and tug at their emotions. Odder lives off the coast of California, where she spends her days living carefree, trying new tricks. When she brushes danger by coming face to face with a great white shark, her world flips upside down.
The moment Iris’s teacher tells her class about a whale named Blue 55, she feels a connection to the whale. The two are similar in that Blue 55 can’t communicate with other whales, and Iris is the only deaf student in her school.
Iris vows to write a song for the whale that it can hear, and to find a way to play it for Blue 55 no matter what it takes. But what lengths will Iris go to communicate with the whale?
A modern-day classic, Because of Winn Dixie is a tale about how a sweet dog changes a young girl’s life. When Opal finds Winn Dixie after a trip to the supermarket, the girl starts to make friends with a cast of characters.
She also finally gets the courage to ask her dad about her mom. A fun story that has been children’s favorites for quite awhile, you can’t go wrong with this one!
This incredibly sweet novel varies from any other on the list in the way that it’s not about a child and their animal. In fact, no one is quite sure what Bob is…
A green, small creature who is dressed in a chicken suit, he’s been waiting where Livy left him in the closet at her grandmother’s five years ago. Now, she’s back, and Bob is determined to make sure she keeps the promise she made him of finding where he came from.
The two friends embark on a journey of friendship that will reveal where Bob is from, and how he can make it back. Told in alternating chapters of Livy and Bob, Steadman and Mass’s writing flows effortlessly, as readers will root for the characters.
He wrote several popular children’s books including Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan, and Charlotte’s Web.
What genre is Charlotte’s Web?
Since it has talking animals, Charlotte’s Web is considered to be fantasy.
What types of books would I enjoy if I liked Charlotte’s Web?
You would enjoy stories that feature talking animals, stories about animals who are loyal, and books featuring friendships between animals.
What are a few books I would enjoy if I liked Charlotte’s Web?
To find out more, read this article, but a few great ones to start with are Saving Winslow, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in a City, and Because of the Rabbit.
What age is Charlotte’s Web for?
Charlotte’s Web is a classic of children’s literature and is a wonderful book to be shared with several ages. The book is recommended for children aged 7 and older by Commonsense Media.
Ever since Amy could hold a book, she’s been obsessed with reading. Whether it’s a chicklit novel by Emily Henry or a children’s picture book by Christian Robinson, she loves anything with words.She is a firm believer that reading other peoples’ stories and learning about other perspectives can help us be more empathetic and constantly evolve. Amy was lucky enough to land her dream job as a librarian, and spends her days connecting readers with the stories they love!
