Parents' Guide to

Stuart Little

Book E.B. White Fantasy 1945
Stuart Little Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Jessica Pierce , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Excellent bridge from chapter books to novels.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 7+

Based on 8 parent reviews

age 4+

age 5+

I just finished 1st grade and I think it's the best book ever!

I thought the book was funny. My favorite part was when he said, "I wish I didn't have to die with egg on my pants and butter on my cap and gravy on my shirt and orange pulp in my ear and banana peel wrapped around my middle." It made me laugh.

What's the Story?

A mouse goes cross-country to seek his fortune and find a lost friend, falling into adventure after adventure along the way. His cheerful ingenuity always saves him from danger. From outwitting a cat to surviving an afternoon of substitute teaching, Stuart always knows just what to do. One of White's three classic animal stories, Stuart has captivated generations of children.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (6 ):

STUART LITTLE has grabbed kids' attentions and imaginations for years, and for good reason. E.B. White's clever wording and quick descriptions make Stuart irresistible. The book shows that determination and courage, not size, are what make a true hero. Inventive thinking and quick action are what allow a mouse to defeat a hungry cat, escape a garbage truck which has carried him away, and make his way in a human-sized world.

Throughout his series of fun, unpredictable adventures, Stuart shows that he is a noble mouse. Short chapters and quick, funny stories will help kids feel comfortable reading on their own. The vocabulary is slightly dated and may be challenging to younger readers, but the context usually makes the meaning clear.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Stuart is such an appealing character to root for in this story.

  • How is he heroic?

  • How is he challenged because of his size?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate