Evaluation of "The Rabbits' Wedding" by garth williams
Evaluated by: Margo Alexandre Long
Source: Long, M.A. (1978). "The Interracial Family in Children's Literature." The Reading Teacher, 31(8), 909-915.
Source: Long, M.A. (1978). "The Interracial Family in Children's Literature." The Reading Teacher, 31(8), 909-915.
Summary
Public Opinion
A Word from the Author of "The Rabbit's Wedding"
Margo Alexandre Long's Opinion
- The first picture book specifically created to develop an interracial theme.
- Written and published in 1958.
- A black rabbit and a white rabbit like to mingle and play with one another. After some time, they begin to fall in love. However, while they are playing, the black rabbit often looks sad. He expresses how much he wishes that he and the white rabbit could live in peace together forever. As the story develops, the black rabbit and the white rabbit realize that, although they are different colors, this doesn't mean that they can't be together. A wedding takes place and they live "together happily in the big forest, eating dandelions [and] playing Jump The Daisies."
Public Opinion
- This book "...caused much rage, especially among staunch segregationists."
- A weekly paper in Montgomery, Alabama (The Home News) criticized the book saying that it was "integrationist propaganda" that was "obviously aimed at children in the formative years of three to seven."
- The book was taken off of the public library shelves in Montgomery.
- An editor from Orlando stated that the book was "brainwashing" children and that "as soon as you pick up the book and open its pages you realize that these rabbits are integrated."
A Word from the Author of "The Rabbit's Wedding"
- Garth Williams sarcastically stated that he was "...unaware that animals with white fur were considered blood relations of White beings."
- He told people that it was written for children two to five who would understand it perfectly.
Margo Alexandre Long's Opinion
- Only criticism- "...the stereotype of the black rabbit wanting the privilege of marrying the white rabbit, rather than visa versa."
- However, during 1958, a time were racism was extremely prevalent, this book was a much-needed "pioneer" for society.