Charlotte's Web - Animated

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 the novel by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web is the story of a runt pig who is saved from the axe by Fern (voiced by Pamelyn Ferdin), a  farmer’s daughter. Fern names him Wilbur (Henry Gibson) and he grows to be a much loved and famed pig due to his friendship with Charlotte (Debbie Reynolds), a spider, who is determined to change his inevitable fate.

Points to consider

Words of caution

Slapstick comedy includes:

• Wilbur crashes into a post
• Templeton the rat falls down a haystack
• a cat chases Templeton and crashes into the fence
  

Distressing scenes include:

• Wilbur and Fern are separated which is upsetting to both of them
• the idea of Wilbur being killed
• Charlotte dies at the end of the movie but not before laying an egg sac with 514 eggs, showing the continuation of life

Positive aspects

• friendship
• self-sacrifice
• co-operation

Questions to ask

• Do you think Wilbur really was a special pig?
• Do you think Charlotte was a special spider?
• How did Wilbur repay Charlotte’s kindness?