Review: Stuart Little

Stuart Little
by E.B. White
Published by HarperCollins
Publication Date February 1, 2005
Source: Gift
Genres: Childrens
Goodreads

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure.

Stuart's greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty. But will he find his friend?

I knew Stuart Little was a book written by E.B. White and that Michael J. Fox voiced the mouse-like character but I had no idea what the actually plot was.  It pretty much centers around Stuart undertaking ordinary, mundane chores exhibited as a 6 inch person, and occasionally being chased around by the family cat.  Until he makes a new best friend, a bird named Margalo appears and just as quickly disappears.  Distraught by this news Stuart runs away from his home in search of his new friend (stated above).

I’m not sure if Stuart was supposed to be a role model but I certainly hope not.  He subs for a grade school teacher and basically tells the children that education isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and arithmetic is bad.  Later, when he runs away from home he decides to court a girl who is smaller than him and I got the impression he was after a little more than a kiss.

I tried to like Stuart Little, I really did, but I just found him annoying, irresponsible, and didn’t leave a note.  You could also say that Stuart Little was loyal and outgoing, but about halfway through the book I was rolling my eyes.  Maybe if I had grown up with this book, as I did with Charlotte’s Web I would have a different, nostalgic opinion but as a twenty year old all I thought was come on.