Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Trumpet of the Swan

The Trumpet of the Swan
The Trumpet of the Swan
Author: E. B. White, Fred Marcellino (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780064408677
ISBN-10: 0064408671
Publication Date: 10/31/2000
Pages: 272
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 113

3.7 stars, based on 113 ratings
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

16 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was one of my favorite children's books when I was in elementary school. I prefer this to Charlotte's Web or Stuart Little. Louis the swan goes on several adventures to find his voice and win his true love, Serene.
rapunzel avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful book and is such a treasured story for young and old alike.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 3352 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In my opinion one of the best books ever written for children or adults. But then what else would you expect from E. B. White.
grammyteach avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 192 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
wonderful, classic
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Probably the most beautiful children's book that I've read out loud to my six-year-old was E. B. White's Charlotte's Web. The Trumpet of the Swan is a close second. It's much funnier than Charlotte's Web--the absurd and delightful character of the old cob is just amazing to read out to a child. Like the better known Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan has two protagonists: a human child and a young animal. I love the clever way White balances anthropomorphism and naturalism in both books.

One thing that was remarkable to me as a parent was the American character of the language. A lot of beautiful children's books are British and they sound British, but White is somehow as American as Whitman without any pretension or affectation.

I also approved of the lessons of this book, which were about adapting to disability.
Dixie avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 179 more book reviews
Although he lacks a voice in the traditional "Ko-hoh!" sense, trumpeter swan Louis learns to speak to the world with a trumpet stolen from a music store by his father. With the support of an unusual boy named Sam, who helps Louis learn how to read and write, the swan has some rather unswanlike adventures and ultimately wins the love--and the freedom--of a beautiful swan named Serena.

For over 30 years, E.B. White's masterpiece has captured the fancy of countless readers

constant-reader avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 130 more book reviews
A wonderful story by the author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, this is the tale of a Trumpeter Swan born without a voice. Spurned by the other swans, because he's different, Louis has a series of adventures in his quest to fulfill his dreams.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 23 more book reviews
A childhood favorite - loved it.
LauraC avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 124 more book reviews
Children's book about a male trumpeter swan with out a voice. It sounds cute.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 2 more book reviews
Simply lovely for ages 8-12. My favorite book as a child. 5 stars.
MargoGamero avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 41 more book reviews
This book was so funny. I loved!!
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 9 more book reviews
This was a very calm and easy read. I thought it was a little young but thought it had a good moral to the story. I didn't realize E.B. White had written other books besides Charlottes Web.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 112 more book reviews
Children's Book - Elementary School level
From back cover: Louis is scared when his father tells him that he's different from other swans. He doesn't want to be different. Even though he can't talk, Louis knows h could learn to read and write, if only he could get into school. Sam Beaver, a boy who understands all wild things, agrees to help. But Mrs. Hammerbotham isn't sure she can handle a Trumpeter Swan in her classroom.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 104 more book reviews
LOUIS IS SCARED WHEN HIS FATHER TELLS HIM THAT HE'S DIFFRENT FROM OTHER SWANS, HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE DIFFRENT. EVEN THOUGH HE CAN'T TALK, LOIS KNOWS HE COULD LEARN TO READ AND WRITE, IF ONLY HE COULD GET IN TO SCHOOL.
SAM BEAVER, A BOY WHO UNDERSTANDS ALL WILD THINGS, AGREES TO HELP. BUT MRS HAMMERBOTHAM ISN'T SURE SHE CAN HANDLE A TRUMPETEER SWAN IN HER CLASSROOM. (FROM THE BACK COVER) IT IS A FUN BOOK TO READ.
reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 496 more book reviews
Louis is scared when his father tells him that he's different from other swans. He doesn't want to be different. Even though he can't talk, Louis knows he could learn to read and write, if only he could get into school. Sam Beaver, a boy who understans all wild things, agrees to help. But Mrs. Hammerbotham isn't sure she can handle a Trumpeter Swan in her classroom.
JamieLynn avatar reviewed The Trumpet of the Swan on + 81 more book reviews
My 11 year old son's favorite book! Picture on cover is different but everything else is correct.