RIP Charlotte

Last night Gabriela and I finished reading our first real chapter book together! At first I thought Charlotte’s Web might be a little to advanced for her, and worried that it wouldn’t keep her interest. But Gabriela was sitting through other long, less wordy beginner chapter books and asking for more.  She’d wake up and request to read more first thing in the morning, and ask for the book at nap time and bedtime.  We finished the book in a week! Gabriela talked about Fern and Wilbur and Templeton and Charlotte throughout the day. She pretended to read the book herself, and her pretend stories were similar to what we’d read the day before. And, my favorite part, she’d interrupt to ask what words meant that she didn’t understand. “mommy, what means manure? Boasted? Brimming?” and all sorts more.  She was into it.

Then Charlotte had to go and die.  I knew she would, but still.  Now Gabriela knows what dying is. In the last year we’ve explained the deaths of a bunny, two rats, and a dog. She has been totally okay with it, and still talks about how we won’t see then anymore because they died. So I thought she would handle Charlotte’s death similarly.

I thought wrong. When Charlotte died, Gabriela instantly got the saddest look on her face. She burst into tears and sobbed, just like Wilbur. Giant tears rolled down her little face. She just couldn’t stand that poor Charlotte was gone.  She even said things like, “But now Wilbur won’t have any friends” and “How will we have any more story without Charlotte?”.  She was crushed. Heartbroken.  I had no idea she’d react so strongly, and couldn’t help getting a little teary eyed myself as I consoled her and helped her think of all the happy times Wilbur would remember about his friend Charlotte, what a wonderful friend she was, and how lucky Wilbur was to have known her.  We talked about the funny parts from our book.  Gabriela was relieved when three of Charlotte’s (514) children stayed and befriended Wilbur, pledging their friendship forever.  But she couldn’t help getting sad all over again at the mention of Charlotte.  Poor sweet baby girl.

She’s still looking forward to watching the movie Charlotte’s Web with hot cocoa and popcorn. I wonder if she’ll react differently to Charlotte’s death since she knows it’s coming, or if we will mourn her death all over again.  Wish us luck.

Nevertheless, it’s been such a fun experience sharing this story and love of reading with her. I’m already thinking about what we can read next.