Stuart Little by E. B. White

First published: 1945; illustrated

Subjects: Animals, coming-of-age, friendship, and social issues

Type of work: Novel

Type of plot: Adventure tale, allegory, and fantasy

Time of work: The 1940’s

Recommended Ages: 10-15

Locale: New York City and points north

Principal Characters:

• Stuart Little, a two-inch-tall mouse who is a member of the Little family
• Margalo, a foundling bird who captures Stuart’s heart and his imagination
• Frederick C. Little, Stuart’s father
• Mrs. Little, Stuart’s loving but shallow mother
• George Little, Stuart’s creative, caring, but distractible brother
• Snowbell, the Little family’s pet cat, who is Stuart’s nemesis
• Dr. Paul Carey, a surgeon-dentist who is Stuart’s friend and a facilitator of his adventures
• Harriet Ames, a tiny girl from a socially prominent family

Form and Content

Stuart Little is an episodic adventure tale reminiscent of novels in the picaresque style. It is also a fantasy relayed through omniscient third-person narration. The story unfolds in chapters describing significant incidents or adventures. The cleverly detailed illustrations by Garth Williams, although dated, complement the text and allow for complete acceptance of the fantasy. The story is timeless, with universal appeal.

Stuart Little is a mouse living in a human family. The Littles make allowances for his size and physique with creative engineering and adaptations, and they are sensitive to his differences in appearance and stature. Although they love Stuart, the family members sometimes exploit his small size. He is sent down a slimy drain to retrieve his mother’s lost ring, and he later retrieves lost Ping-Pong balls from beneath hot radiators. He must share his home with Snowbell the cat, a mouse’s natural predator. Stuart learns early that survival is a difficult struggle.

Outside of home, Stuart is forced to contend with the bustling activity on the streets of New York City, a difficult task for a mouse who stands only two inches tall. Stuart is too small to board a bus without assistance. He lives in mortal fear of wayward dogs. Too small to carry standard change, he offers his own specially made tender when paying his fare. He dresses according to the popular fashion of his day, and his conduct is typical of a gentleman living in New York. Stuart yearns for adventure and excitement in Central Park. There, he befriends Dr. Paul Carey, a surgeon-dentist, and secures a position on his model schooner. He endures an exciting and heroic boat race on the lake, emerging unscathed and victorious. Later that evening, when his family asks how he spent his day, he replies, “Oh, knocking around town,” without further explanation.

Stuart’s adventures continue. One day while recovering from a cold brought about by his being accidentally trapped in the refrigerator, Stuart meets Margalo, a foundling bird given refuge by Mrs. Little. Stuart saves Margalo from Snowbell’s advances in a chivalrous manner, and she later returns the favor when she is able to save him from certain death on a smelly garbage scow. Stuart loves the bird dearly. When she unexpectedly takes her leave, Stuart is heartbroken and takes it upon himself to find his trusted friend. His transportation is a six-inch-long, invisible automobile given to him by Dr. Carey.

Thus, Stuart begins a new series of adventures beyond the boundaries of New York City. Off to seek his dreams, he begins his exploration of the unknown. He works briefly as a substitute teacher, reminding his students that “a law has to be fair to everybody.” Stuart next moves on to Ames’ Crossing, where he meets a girl named Harriet Ames. Although she is young, attractive, and exactly his size, Stuart is not yet ready to settle down. He moves on, fueled by his need to continue searching for Margalo. Finding the elusive bird becomes Stuart’s quest as he resumes his journey north in search of his dream.

Critical Context

Stuart Little was the first of E. B. White’s three well-received and popular animal tales for children; the others are Charlotte’s Web (1952), a Newbery Honor Book, and The Trumpet of the Swan (1970). Each book offers suspense and adventure, and White’s characters come alive and seem to leap off the page. He demonstrates masterful use of dialogue and poetic language, elevating animal stories to a new dimension. The interactions and experiences shared by animals and humans invite complete absorption into the world of fantasy. Thus the adventures of Stuart—or Charlotte, Wilbur, and Fern, or Louis—are delightful reading on the literal level.

Some of his characters, such as Stuart and Charlotte, are well rounded. Others, such as the superintendent and the repairman in Stuart Little, only serve to advance the story line. Each of the characters has a unique personality, with foibles and virtues. They mirror human experiences. Although these texts were written for children, they are not for children alone. In Stuart Little and the other novels, White stretches the genre of the animal tale to the level of modern allegory, exploring human nature and the role of humankind in the natural environment. These novels encourage introspection and the examination of the motives underlying interpersonal relationships. They challenge readers to find their own directions and to follow the paths best-suited to their needs and dreams.