Sixty years ago on October 15 1952 E.B. Whites Charlottes Web was published. Its gone on to become one of the most beloved childrens books of all time. To celebrate this milestone the renowned Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo has written a heartfelt and poignant tribute to the book that is itself a beautiful translation of Whites own view of the world—of the joy he took in the change of seasons in farm life in the miracles of life and death and in short the glory of everything. We are proud to include Kate DiCamillos foreword in the 60th anniversary editions of this cherished classic. Charlottes Web is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur—and of Wilburs dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur who by this time had grown up to quite a pig. How all this comes about is Mr. Whites story. It is a story of the magic of childhood on the farm. The thousands of children who loved Stuart Little the heroic little city mouse will be entranced with Charlotte the spider Wilbur the pig and Fern the little girl who understood their language. The forty-seven black-and-white drawings by Garth Williams have all the wonderful detail and warmhearted appeal that children love in his work. Incomparably matched to E.B. Whites marvelous story they speak to each new generation softly and irresistibly.