Charlotte's Web

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution.Slapstick comedy; Distressing scenes.
Most suitable age range: 5-7

Availability

Many items on the list of non-violent media may be available for either purchase or hire. Click here for some ideas of where to look for them.

About the movie

Synopsis

Based on E.B. White’s book, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur (voiced by Dominic Scott Kay) a piglet whose life is saved from the farmer’s knife by Fern (Dakota Fanning). Wilbur is moved into a barn with other animals where he is treated with suspicion. However Wilbur is befriended by Charlotte (Julia Roberts) a spider, herself an outcast, who devises a way to avoid his inevitable fate.

Points to consider

Words of caution

Slapstick comedy includes:

• Wilbur repeatedly runs head first into a wooden fence beam
• Templeton, a rat, is chased and pecked at by two cows.
  

Children  might be distressed by:

• the idea of Wilbur being killed
• Charlotte's appearance
• the death of Charlotte

Positive aspects

The importance of:

• loyalty
• trust and
• self-sacrifice
• overcome adversity and prejudice

Questions to ask

• Will Charlotte’s good deeds be remembered after she dies?

• Will Charlotte’s life continue through her children?