Stuart Little
About
"When Mrs. Frederick C. Little's second son arrived, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. The truth of the matter was, the baby looked very much like a mouse in every way." So begins E.B. White's tale of a sensitive, erudite mouse that is somehow born to a family of humans.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Describe Stuart.
Page 1 — He is a two-inch tall human boy that has a mouse's sharp nose, whiskers and tail; he's born to a human family
1
Why is it concerning that Stuart wasn't gaining very much weight?
Page 3 — He only gained a third of an ounce and it is important for babies to gain weight to show that they are thriving and growing in healthy ways
3
How did Stuart serve and help his mom in this chapter?
Page 4 — To find her ring
4
How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring?
Page 6 — That he was “awfully good”
6
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
How did Stuart help around the house?
Page 7 — Retrieving ping-pong balls, sticky piano keys
7
Give two examples in this chapter that show that Stuart's family protects and loves him.
Page 9 — they tear up the nursery rhyme and change "The Night Before Christmas" words
9
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Define personification.
A literary device that gives humans traits, emotions, or actions to non-human entities – such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas.
Gives three examples from this chapter of how the author illustrates this literary device.
Page 13 — Stuart exercises and touches his toes 10 times; Stuart turns on the light with a long string and turns on the water faucet; animals don't exhibit these behaviors
13
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Compare and contrast Stuart and Snowbell.
Page 18 — Similarities: They are both part of the Little household, they are both small creatures living in a large human world, interact with humans and have human feelings; Contrast: Stuart is noble, adventurous, helpful; Snowbell is selfish, manipulative, jealous; Stuart is the hero and Snowbell is the villain; Stuart takes responsibility and solves problems and Snowbell causes problems
18
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What did George want to do to find Stuart?
Page 21 — Rip up the floor
21
What did they end up doing?
Page 22 — All called together and waited to hear his answer
22
Why did George pull down the shades?
Page 25 — To respect Stuart who was “dead”
25
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Why is Stuart taking a risk when he goes outside?
Page 27 — He is so small and vulnerable that cats, dogs, cars, etc. put him in danger
27
How did Stuart step up onto a bus?
Page 28 — He held onto a man’s pants
28
What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat?
Page 33 — The Wasp, The Lillian B. Womarth
33
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What accident happened at the beginning of the race?
Page 38 — The policeman fell into the water
38
What did the policeman cause?
Page 39 — A big wave
39
What caused the crash between the boats?
Page 43 — A paper bag
43
Why did Stuart win?
Page 45 — He sailed the Wasp “straight and true”
45
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
How did Stuart catch bronchitis?
Page 47 — He got locked in the refrigerator
47
What did Stuart do for Margalo?
Page 52 — Take her temperature
52
What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear?
Page 55 — Shoot it with an arrow
55
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can?
Page 57 — To avoid the Irish Terrier
57
Where was the garbage truck going?
Page 60 — To dump the load on the scow
60
Why was Stuart sad that he might die?
Page 61 — He would miss his home
61
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell?
Page 69 — You have more self-control than me
69
Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo?
Page 71 — The pigeon
71
What did Margalo do when she read the note?
Page 71 — Fly away
71
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
Why did Stuart run away from home?
Page 73 — To look for Margalo
73
Who did he go see for advice?
Page 75 — Dr. Carey
75
Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention?
Page 79 — It was invisible
79
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School?
Page 87 — They would have a substitute for Mrs. Gunderson
87
What would be a fine law?
Page 94 — Absolutely no being mean
94
Is this a realistic law? Why or why not? Explain.
Listen to your child's answer
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
What is sarsaparilla?
Page 102 — It's a drink made from a tropical, woody vine that has medicinal properties and is found in South America, Jamaica, and Mexico
102
Why did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet Harriet Ames?
Page 103 — They were similar size and he thought they would have a lot in common; He thought they might like each other in a romantic way; Hopefully, they could be friends and support each other
103
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
What was the conclusion to the date?
Page 124 — Never happened; Stuart was too discouraged that his boat was ruined to go with Harriet, he never saw her again
124
Have you ever had plans that got ruined by someone else? Explain.
Listen to your child's answer
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
What is a theme of this story?
Example: Stuart Little has many physical limitations, but learns to overcome them
What did you like about this story?
Listen to your child's answer
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Additional files
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
