E.B. White: The Trumpet of the Swan (1970, Hamish Hamilton)
Hardcover, 210 pages
English language
Published Aug. 25, 1970 by Hamish Hamilton.
Louis is a Trumpeter Swan without a voice, a swan of great character not at all deterred by his handicap. With the help of his friend, Sam Beaver, Louis learns to read and write, but although his new sills are impressive they do not solve his greatest problem--for how can Louis's father , the magnificently bombastic old cob, who comes to his rescue and provides the means for Louis to find true happiness and fulfilment. First there is yet another skill to be learned, and it is Louis's determination to succeed which is at the heart of E. B. White's marvellous new story. The Trumpet of the Swan is a book of many delights for all ages; it rejoices in nature and wild things, it celebrates the strengths of family loyalty, and it has all the compassionate wisdom and humour which have made E. B. White one of the most …
Louis is a Trumpeter Swan without a voice, a swan of great character not at all deterred by his handicap. With the help of his friend, Sam Beaver, Louis learns to read and write, but although his new sills are impressive they do not solve his greatest problem--for how can Louis's father , the magnificently bombastic old cob, who comes to his rescue and provides the means for Louis to find true happiness and fulfilment. First there is yet another skill to be learned, and it is Louis's determination to succeed which is at the heart of E. B. White's marvellous new story. The Trumpet of the Swan is a book of many delights for all ages; it rejoices in nature and wild things, it celebrates the strengths of family loyalty, and it has all the compassionate wisdom and humour which have made E. B. White one of the most beloved writers of this age and a storyteller of rare distinction.
E. B. White has been awarded the 1970 Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his two earlier books, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. The Medal is given once every five years to a writer who has made a distinguished permanent contribution to literature for children. The Trumpet of the Swan is E. B. White's first children's book for eighteen years and some of the comments which heralded its American publication can be seen on the back of this jacket. --jacket
A beautiful and amusing little miracle of a book. E.B. White could warm the coldest heart. The only word that hasn't aged well is "Indian."
If you aren't tickled by a swan staying at the ritz then I don't know what to tell you.
one of the first books i ever read. i was hungry for angst even as a brat toesucking child. i can still remember each scene clearly... louie's father breaking into a music shop, louie cutting his webs so he could more adroitly play the trumpet, practicing the bugles at the camp, the watercress sandwich. i had watercress for the first time in hot pot a couple months ago. i like him.
