Saturday, August 20, 2011

"The Rabbit's Wedding"

In 1958 an author by the name of Garth Williams wrote and illustrated my favorite book as a child, "The Rabbit's Wedding." My mother read this book over and over to me and I'm quite sure it's one of the first books I ever learned to read.
It was a sweet love story of two little rabbits, one white and one black, who fell in love and wanted to live in the forest together forever. 
Little did I know that according to some politicians and "worried parents", that this book would  some how encourage or influence a child's mind to believe in interracial marriage! I was a child protester and didn't even know it!
E.O. Eddings, a Senator from Montgomery, Alabama wanted the book to be burned. The book was removed from several shelves and put in the "restricted section!" It just boggles the mind.
But the book did stay on the shelves , the rabbits did get married and lived happily ever after, and this book remains one of my favorite books to this day. 

 So I guess it helps my heart knowing  that in my childhood,my mother was sharing a sweet story with more than one message. I'm not even sure she knew the significance at the time, but maybe she did?

When I have a friend that has a new baby or now in my older years, a grandbaby, this is always one of the first presents I give to them. I Think over the years I have bought well over 40 copies. 
What was your favorite children's book?
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12 comments:

  1. gracieAugust 21, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Sounds like a good book to me.

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  2. NellyAugust 21, 2011 at 4:55 AM

    I must keep an eye out for that book.

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  3. Janet GhioAugust 21, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    I love the illustrations and what a sweet story. I am sure there are some people who would try and ban that book today--sad isn't it!

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  4. she dreams big!August 21, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Looks like such a sweet book. And an example of how ridiculous our elected officials were and continue to be. I'll be checking this book out at the library to read to my little ones.

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  5. Leaping Frog Design'sAugust 21, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    This is a beautiful sweet book...Sad people read more into it that what it was. Thank you so much for sharing it with us today I think I will look for it to add to my collection. The illustrations are adorable.
    Have a great week!!!

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  6. UnknownAugust 21, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Love the book.
    I am sure there would be some people that would not want their children reading this book today. Just like some parent came up with the idea that Bert and Erine were gay....geezzzzzz!!!!
    Some should just chill, a book like this is not cancer afterall, or how about the famine crises in africa???
    Just sayin..
    Thanks for sharing.
    Michele

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  7. NancyAugust 21, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    I am going to have to find that Book, it is adorable!! I am sure my little Granddaughter would love it's picture's too. What a Nut who would have made a Issue over a children's book about Rabbits. Must not have been allowed to have been a child himself!!

    Thanks for sharing Cindy!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  8. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    I have not heard of that book, though it sounds like one my mom would have read to me as a child. I don't think they create many children's tomes these days with messages like they used to. Most of them seem to be filled with fluff ... the dumbing-down of our society now begins at a wee age. It is up to the parents to educate more than ever.

    As far as my favorite children's book ... gosh, I had soooooooooooooooooooo many that I loved! Such as "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", "The Ugly Duckling", and "Little Black Sambo", just to name a few. I had quite a library of hand-me-down books that belonged in the family.

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  9. BohemianAugust 25, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    My favorite was Aesops Fables, I always enjoyed stories with a Message. I think it is wonderful that you have given away so many copies of your favorite childhood book. Books are the one thing I will never say No to when my Grandkids ask for one... I love that they enjoy Books and reading.

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  10. manon 21August 25, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Tout a fait ravissant.

    Bonjour de France

    Manon

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  11. fairyrocksAugust 27, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Cindy, Just thought I would stop back in for a peek. How interesting this article is to me.
    I share my grandchildren with a wonderful talented woman who was born in Ghana.
    Ah, the stories she tells me. She does not speak so much of the prejudice, but we all know she has experienced it first hand.
    My grandchildrens father was also born in Africa. He is a wonderful man and a terrific father. I would not trade those babies for anything in this world, my life for thiers.
    I also do not tolerate prejudice!! Thank you for sharing this little piece of your childhood.

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  12. ~Lavender Dreamer~August 28, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    What a sweet little book and an interesting history! I love little books of poetry for children! Do kids still read poetry? I sure hope so! ♥

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