Lucien Agosta, in his overview of the critical reception of the book, notes that "Critical reactions to Stuart Little have varied from disapprobation to unqualified admiration since the book was published in 1945, though generally it has been well received."[5](p 59) Anne Carroll Moore, who had initially encouraged White to write the book, was critical of it when she read a proof of it.[4](pp 263–264) She wrote letters to White, his wife Katharine, and Harper's children's editor Ursula Nordstrom, advising that the book not be published.[4](pp 263–264)
A 1945 book reviewer wrote, "Mr. White has a tendency to write amusing scenes instead of telling a story. To say that Stuart Little is one of the best children’s books published this year is very modest praise for a writer of his talent."[6] The book has become a children’s classic, and is widely read by children and used by teachers.[7] White was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 1970 for Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.[8]
