Yes, E.B. White has a new book out. Really. It’s a delightful picture book, based on a poem he wrote in 1928 while working at The New Yorker magazine.
The Duck Can’t Sleep, by E.B. White
The best part is the book is illustrated by Melissa Sweet. She wrote and illustrated Some Writer, the Story of E.B. White. It’s a fabulous book, and where I learned most everything about White.
Of course White was always called Andy. His grandniece who lives nearby always called him Uncle Andy. He married Katherine who was older than he. She worked at The New Yorker, too. When he wrote Charlotte’s Web, his wife, Katherine, was Charlotte and Andy was Wilbur.
I’ll never forget that.
The book’s poem is
NATURA IN URBE
While midnight clung to every shore
I walked me round the reservoir,
With little cause and little sense
I ambled round and round the fence,
And once, while standing quietly,
I saw a little duck swim by.
I plainly saw his head a-wobble,
I plainly saw his tail a-bobble,
As all across the captive lake
He spread his negligible wake.
And I can scarce begin to tell
How mystical this caravel,
Or how surprised I was to see
A duck as wide awake as me.
Afloat at night upon the deep
You’d think a duck would go to sleep,
You’d think a normal duck would hanker
To close his eyes and ride at at anchor;
You’d think a duck would set his breast
Against the wave, and come to rest;
You’d think that twelve o’clock were late
For any duck to navigate
All round and round the reservoir.
I wondered what he did it for.
I wondered if he’d left his kind
Because of something on his mind,
A midnight sail to clear his vision
And help him reach some duck decision.
Surely he would not swim and swim
Were something hard not troubling him.
It was preposterous to think
A duck would rouse to get a drink;
Nor was it anything but silly
To think he paddled willy nilly;
And though ’twas funny to suppose
A little duck had secret woes,
And though it put me on my mettle
To guess what problems ducks must settle,
I liked to think he swam the deep
Because he simply could not sleep.
The illustrations are delightful.
Martha White, E.B. White’s granddaughter, has a lengthy and lovely forward to the book. I highly recommend reading this; your public library will have a copy.
Poetry is important, and something children need to hear. White’s poem in a picture book is just perfect.
Jennie
I love that poem Jennie, and the book looks great.
Many thanks, FR!
This is wonderful news, Jennie!
I think so! Thanks, Dan.
This looks wonderful, Jennie. It feels like a gift of some ‘old good magic’ suddenly revived. And don’t we need it.
It does feel that way. Yes, we definitely need it!
That is just awesome! I love that we can still read new work from an author no longer with us. 💞
I feel the same way! Thanks, Darlene.
aw… so sweet
The pictures (illustrations?) are beautiful.
I think so, too!
thanks for this, i’m going to buy it!
You’re welcome! The endpapers are maps of the reservoir. Enjoy!
wow, one more reason-
😀
Hooray for a new book from your favourite writer! The poem is teriffic, and the illustrations are just lovely.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete!
Wow. What a dear surprise for EB White fans around the globe! Thanks for this news, Jennie.
Yes, what a surprise! I’m glad you enjoyed this, Will.
How wonderful that the inimitable E.B. White should reappear, and so beautifully illustrated all these years later!
I feel exactly the same way. What a marvelous surprise!
I hope he has a lot more poetry and stories stashed away that his descendents can publish.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Fabulous in every way, Jennie! Thank you so much for sharing. 💝😊💝
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Vicki!
Yes, indeed! ❤️😉❤️
😍
What a delightful poem! I’m sure the book is just as delightful.
It is! and what a surprise to discover his poem in a children’s book. Best to you, Liz.
Nothing he writes is ordinary!
True!
jennie – this was such a surprise and good for them for using his poem from so long agp to make a book – how cool
I feel exactly the same way! Best to you, Prior.
xxxx
😍
The Book looks so good, and compelling me to get it. Lovely illustrations Jennie! 😊
Many thanks!
A great idea to turn a poem into a book. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
I think so, too. Thank you, John.
Hi Jennie, this is a delightful poem. Lovely that it’s been made into a book 🐥🐣
I completely agree. Thank you, Robbie.
That is a fun poem and it seems like a greatr children’s book
I agree!
Don’t you love turning on another group of kids to Charlotte’s Web each year? I recall that he had a book called New York Sketches that came out at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. That wasn’t a children’s book, though.
Yes, I do! I will have to look for New York Sketches. Thanks, Pete.
How wonderful, Jennie. It looks and sounds delightful. I will have to see if my library has a copy.
Who knew a 1928 poem could become a children’s book? Actually, your 13-year-old grandson will like this. It’s not for preschoolers. My library had a copy.
“…how surprised I was to see
A duck as wide awake as me.” Made me smile…insomnia is not limited to us humans! For some reason that comforts my soul.
I loved that line, too! I’m glad you felt comforted. White was such a great writer.
This is lovely! You know it’s going on my book wish list.
I’m so glad! He was a great writer.
What a beautiful idea for book! I love the poem. 🥰
Thanks, Debby! I can’t believe a poem he wrote in 1928 is now a children’s book. Very cool!
What an adorable poem. He describes my every night except for seeing a duck. LOL Rhyming poetry is so hard to write, and E.B. did it with such ease. Thanks for sharing. This is a book worth having, especially if one is writing children’s books. 🙂
Thanks, Marsha. You said it well, poetry (especially rhyming) is very hard to write, and E.B. did it with ease. Yes, I think this is a book worth having.
Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
My pleasure.
I’m so glad to discover this new book. Thank you for posting, Jennie!
My pleasure, and I know how you feel.