Books

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1945. First edition. Fine in very good jacket.. First printing of White's first book for children, sold with an original pen-and-ink drawing by Garth Williams that appears on page 24 of the book. White's Stuart Little, like Thumbelina, is born to standard-sized human parents and takes his entitled place within his human family by right and without question, but suffers many tests and challenges as he makes his way in the world and works to thwart the family cat. Romance, or friendship, is short-lived, leaving the young mouse "alone with his broken dreams and his damaged canoe." The first of White's three great children's books, STUART LITTLE is a quest story, though not a quest with a traditional arc or dénouement. By the end of the novel, Stuart has done many deeds and surmounted any obstacles, but is not finished or at rest: "I rather expect," he says, "that from now on I shall be traveling north until the end of my days." The pen-and-ink…

Stuart Little is a children's novel written by E.B. White, first published in 1945 by Harper & Brothers. The story follows a small, anthropomorphic mouse born to a human family, and chronicles his adventures in New York City. The character of Stuart Little was based on a dream White had. The novel's realistic New York City setting and anthropomorphized characters make it a distinctive example of American children's literature. Garth Williams provided the book's original illustrations, which contributed to its charm and success.

One way to determine if a copy of 'Stuart Little' is a first edition is to check the publisher details for 'Harper & Brothers' and the year 1945, as well as any mention of subsequent printings or editions. The presence of original illustrations by Garth Williams may also indicate a first edition.