The Trumpet of the Swan

By: E.B. White

Genre: Children’s/Young Reader Fiction

Pages: 210

Published: 1970

Told in: Third Person

In a nutshell:

Louis is a mute swan. Unable to communicate he learns to read and write, but it still does not help him win the affections of the swan he loves since she cannot read. Louis’s father steals a trumpet to help his son gain a voice. Louis then forgoes a quest to pay for the trumpet to regain his father’s honor and to win the heart of his love.

What you may enjoy:

This book is considered a classic by many and fits right along with the author’s well-known book, Charlotte’s Web. It’s a fun loving story about sentient animals without actually giving them the ability to speak. It has a light feeling and humor to it. It has some good lessons and qualities for children to learn from, such as overcoming our physical challenges, being honest, hardworking, and the importance of asking questions and learning.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This is a book about animals who think and act like people. If you don’t like animal books or personified animals don’t expect to enjoy this book. The book has a lot of fluff, full paragraphs that can just be passed over without losing anything. The story often portrays adults and authority figures as simple minded idiots. Another problem people have had with this book is how easily Louis and Serena agree to give away one of their children to the zoo in exchange for their own freedom.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Swan shot at; swan shot, drawing blood, mildly graphic; fox attempts to attack a swan, mildly graphic; boy hits a fox, non-graphic; swan snaps man’s behind, non-graphic.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and profanity:

G*d

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