E.B. White

The Trumpet of the Swan

Elwyn Brooks White

Knowing how to read and write is not enough for Louis, a voiceless Trumpeter Swan; his determination to learn to play a stolen trumpet takes him far from his wilderness home.

𝚕𝚒𝚕𝚢

4 ★ - (enjoyed a lot/really liked it)



CWs: death

Sarah Sammis

E. B. White is best known for Stuart Little (1945) and Charlotte's Web (1952) but my favorite of his novels is The Trumpet of the Swan (1970). Like the other two, it stars an extraordinary animal, in this case, a mute trumpeter swan, Louis. To survive in the world and to communicate with other swans, Louis learns to play the trumpet.

Louis befriends a number of humans but his first and best friend is Sam, a boy whom he first meets as a cygnet up in Canada. Sam serves as Louis's connection to the human world teaching him basic skills and getting him the things he needs to survive.

The book in its own oddball way teaches about the life of the trumpeter swan while at the same time being a classic fantasy quest except that the hero is a swan. He's not enchanted but he is marked by his lack of a voice. His quest is two fold: earn enough money to pay for the stolen trumpet and to earn the love of the beautiful Serena.

The Trumpet of the Swan is my favorite of the three because it's heartwarming without the goofiness of Stuart Little or the melodrama of Charlotte's Web.

Deepika Ramesh

May not be as lovely as 'Charlotte's Web', but beautiful in its own way. Full review here: https://worncorners.wordpress.com/201...

Piper Summer

A darling tale that taught me empathy as a child, while entertaining me with humor that was captivating and ignited me with fire of love for reading that still is lit within me today.

Meredith Rose

I was enjoying this audiobook, then Louis received the stolen trumpet from his father, and I absolutely fell in love with it!

I fell in love because the narration paused and a real note played on a trumpet rang out boldly. I wondered if these short musical interludes would continue, and they did! All throughout the book when Louis plays taps at Camp KooKoosKoos, or "Cradle Song" on the lake in Boston followed by the swan boat, or his own composition for his beloved Serena in the Philidelphia Zoo, the reader hears these songs played on a real trumpet. 

This was such a sweet surprise that made my experience with this audiobook completely immersive! 

The Trumpet of the Swan was my favorite book growing up. Getting to listen to it read by the author is so special. I look forward to the days when I can read and listen to these books with my kids!

Kristen

This was my favorite book when I was 7, and I can see why. I remember being fascinated by the way a swan born with a significant disadvantage made his life better than it ever would have or could have been had he been born without that disadvantage. It's a great story about how our disabilities and flaws don't define us -- our actions, determination, work ethic, compassion, integrity, love, and aspirations do. 

But. As an adult, I found myself less fascinated with Louis's numerous achievements and more distracted by the fact that he could understand people when they talked to him. Granted, I don't think this would bother a child (I don't remember even thinking about this in my memory of reading the book as a kid myself), but it's something I couldn't get past now. How did Louis understand Sam right away? How did he recognize his name when spoken by humans in English, when his parents did not understand English and gave him his name? 

Also, Louis's love story with Serena left... a LOT to be desired, and was actually a bit depressing. But I'll leave it at that.

I liked how Louis had multiple motivations for pursuing his dreams. It wasn't just to get Serena's attention. He also had a passion for music, he wanted to repay his father's debt, he wanted to contribute all he could to the world, etc. He was a very well-defined character, for a swan. 

Overall, the message the story carries is great. The delivery, however, is lackluster to me as an adult. I still think it's a solid kids' book, though.

Michelle C

winter 

Ashley shackelford

Elisabeth Bontrager

Martha F.

JoAnna

fran

Dr Seth Jones

Sarah Olson 

E. B. White

Notable Children's Books of 1970 (ALA) "Best of the Best" Children's Books 1966–1978 (SLJ) Outstanding Children's Books of 1970 (NYT) Children's Books of 1970 (Library of Congress) 1973 William Allen White Children's Book Award 1973 Sequoyah Children's Book Award (Oklahoma)

The Trumpet of the Swan

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