Charlotte's Web

Wilbur is the runt of the litter of piglets, saved at first by Fern the farmer's daughter and then by Charlotte the spider who weaves wonderful statements about him into her web. At one level this book is about the cycle of life and death - wise Charlotte must die but her children will be born in the spring. It is a story told with great affection and humour, full of memorable animal characters, and is moving without being sentimental. The story was made into an animated film in 1973 and there is also a more recent film version.

See also: Dick King-Smith: Clever Lollipop (9781406340228), Walker £5.99

Dick King-Smith: The Sheep-Pig (9780141370217), Puffin £6.99