Summary
Stuart Little is a beloved 1945 American children's novel by E.B. White. The story centers on Stuart Little, a mouse-like boy born to an ordinary human family in New York City. Despite his size, Stuart is adventurous, intelligent, and full of heart, making him a unique protagonist in children's literature.
The plot thickens when Margalo, a songbird and Stuart's best friend, disappears. Feeling a deep sense of loss and responsibility, Stuart embarks on a grand adventure to find her. This journey takes him well beyond the confines of his city life into various encounters and experiences that test his mettle and resolve. Throughout his quest, Stuart encounters different characters and situations, while learning valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and the spirit of adventure. His travels take him to Ames Crossing, where interesting parallels and contrasts to Stuart’s life emerge, further enriching the narrative.
Stuart Little is now considered a classic in children's literature, celebrated for its wit, warmth, and philosophical undertones. Despite initial critiques from literary figures, White's novel has endured, captivating generations of young readers with its creativity and charm. The book’s legacy extends into various adaptations, including films, audio recordings, a television series, and video games.
Themes
Adventure and exploration
Importance of perseverance
Friendship and loyalty
Acceptance of differences
Ingenious problem-solving
Self-discovery and identity
Bravery in the face of the unknown
Setting
Stuart Little immerses readers into a captivating blend of reality and fantasy set predominantly in New York City. The story navigates the life of Stuart, a mouse-like human boy, who embarks on adventures within this bustling urban landscape. From residing in a human family's home to sailing in Central Park's Conservatory Water and venturing through the city's avenues, Stuart's endeavors reflect a vivid portrayal of mid-20th century New York. The city acts as a backdrop that enriches Stuart's experiences, embodying the post-war era’s charm and challenges.
As the story unfolds, the setting extends beyond New York City when Stuart ventures out in search of his friend Margalo, a journey marking his first departure from home. This quest takes him to varied locales throughout the northeastern United States. The story delicately balances elements of the fantastic with a realistic setting, providing unique scenarios that challenge Stuart due to his diminutive size.
Specific places, such as Central Park, not only anchor the story in a real-world location but also serve as stages for key events in Stuart's life. This setting—encompassing both the familiar and the unknown—parallels Stuart's journey of self-discovery and his interactions with various characters, both friend and foe.
Characters
Stuart Little: A mouse-like human boy, the protagonist of the story who loves adventure.
Mr. Little: Stuart's father, a human.
Mrs. Little: Stuart's mother, a human.
George Little: Stuart's older brother, a human.
Snowbell: The family cat, who initially dislikes Stuart.
Margalo: A bird and Stuart's best friend, who lives with the Little family for a time.
Angora cat: Collaborates with Snowbell in a plot against Margalo.
Dr. Carey: A dentist Stuart consults on his quest to find Margalo.
Edward Clydesdale: A patient of Dr. Carey who suggests Margalo might have flown to Connecticut.
Harriet Ames: A 15-year-old girl in Ames Crossing who is the same size as Stuart.
FAQs
What is the book about?
Stuart Little is about a mouse-like human boy named Stuart Little, who was born to an ordinary family in New York City. Despite his small size of just over two-inches tall, he goes on remarkable adventures, including trying to find his best friend, a little bird named Margalo, who goes missing.
Who wrote the book?
Stuart Little was written by E.B. White, the famous American author known for classics like Charlotte's Web.
When was the book published?
Stuart Little was first published in 1945 by Harper & Brothers.
What inspired the author to write the book?
E.B. White was inspired to write Stuart Little by a dream he had about a tiny boy who acted like a mouse while traveling on a train in 1926. He later wrote some stories about Stuart for his nieces and nephews, which eventually evolved into his debut children's book.
How does the story begin?
Stuart Little begins by introducing its hero, a mouse-like human boy born to an ordinary family in New York City. The family is initially concerned about how Stuart will survive in a human-sized world due to his tiny size.
What are some of Stuart's adventures?
Some of Stuart's adventures include riding a Fifth Avenue bus, competing in a sailboat race in Central Park, and working as a substitute teacher for a day. However, his greatest adventure is his quest to find his missing friend Margalo, a little bird who used to live in his home.
What challenges does Stuart face?
Being only two-inches tall, Stuart faces many challenges navigating and adapting to the human-sized world around him. He also has to deal with the family cat, Snowbell, who dislikes him, even though Stuart is part of the family.
How did the book become a classic?
Stuart Little became recognized as a classic in children's literature due to its whimsical and imaginative story, memorable characters, and E.B. White's exceptional writing. It has been widely read by children and used by teachers for decades.
What adaptations have been made of the book?
Stuart Little has been adapted into several films, an animated TV series, and video games. The most well-known adaptation is the 1999 live-action/computer-animated film starring Michael J. Fox as the voice of Stuart Little.
What themes or messages are explored in the book?
Stuart Little explores themes of friendship, adventure, determination, and embracing one's unique qualities. It also celebrates the idea that even someone small can have a big heart and accomplish great things.
Quotes
"'Well,' said Stuart, 'a misspelled word is an abomination in the sight of everyone.'"
"'Very fine law,' said Stuart. 'When I am Chairman, anybody who is mean to anybody else is going to catch it.'"
"Not every doctor can look into a mouse's ear without laughing."
"He wiped his face with his handkerchief, for he was quite warm from the exertion of being Chairman of the World. It had taken more running and leaping and sliding than he had imagined."
"One morning when the wind was blowing from the West, Stuart put on his sailor suit and his sailor hat, took his spyglass down from the shelf, and set out for a walk, full of the joy of life and the fear of dogs."
"'My name is Margalo,' said the bird, softly, in a musical voice. 'I come from fields once tall with wheat, from pastures deep in fern and thistle; I come from vales of meadowsweet, and I love to whistle.'"
Quick facts
E.B. White was inspired to write Stuart Little after dreaming about a tiny boy who acted like a rat, during a train ride in 1926.
Stuart Little was White's first children's book, expanding on the stories he told his nieces and nephews.
Stuart Little was illustrated by Garth Williams, marking his first work for children as well.
Despite initial disinterest from publishers and a lukewarm reception from some critics, Stuart Little became a beloved classic in children's literature.
The character of Stuart was born to a human family and not adopted, differing from the film adaptation where Stuart is adopted into the Little family.
Stuart Little has inspired not only multiple film adaptations but also an animated TV series, audio recordings, and video games.
An unabridged audio adaptation was narrated by actress Julie Harris, highlighting the book's appeal across different media formats.
The franchise expanded to include three films, with the character of Margalo, Stuart's friend, being introduced in the second film, aligning more closely with the book's plot.
About the author
E. B. White was an eminent American author, essayist, and poet. He is renowned for his work as a contributor to The New Yorker, the co-author of The Elements of Style, and the creator of beloved books for children, including Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little.
White was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on July 11, 1899, as Elwyn Brooks—a name he never liked. ("My mother just hung it on me because she'd run out of names," he told The New York Times in 1980. "I was her sixth child.") After graduating from Cornell University in 1921, he worked as a reporter for various outlets, including United Press, American Legion News Service, and The Seattle Times, before joining a newly founded magazine, The New Yorker, in 1927. He remained a fixture of The New Yorker for the rest of his career, contributing his last essay in 1976. Over the decades, he wrote on wide-ranging topics from city life and literature to the meaning of democracy.
In 1959, White significantly expanded and revised a guide to writing American English originally written in 1918 by William Strunk Jr., his former English professor at Cornell. The result, The Elements of Style, commonly referred to as Strunk & White, is still regarded as the gold standard for writers. In 1963, White was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President John F. Kennedy, marking his significant impact on American letters.
In the late 1930s, White ventured into children's literature on behalf of his niece. His three children's books—Stuart Little (1945), Charlotte's Web (1952), and The Trumpet of the Swan (1970)—are widely acclaimed and cherished. Charlotte's Web was ranked as the top children's novel in a 2012 School Library Journal poll. Among prestigious accolades, he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 1970 and the National Medal for Literature in 1971.
Despite his public acclaim, White was known to shy away from the limelight. He was a self-described private person, finding solace in the simplicity of farm life in Maine, where he moved in 1938. This grounding in the natural world often influenced his writings, reflecting a deep appreciation and concern for the environment. White married Katharine Sergeant Angell in 1929, with whom he had a son, Joel White. He passed away on October 1, 1985, at his home in North Brooklin, Maine. Along with his extensive body of writing and enduring works for children, White leaves a legacy to children's literature through the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, honoring books that embody his ideals of imaginative, well-written stories that meet his read aloud standards.
