The Rabbits' Wedding (Hardcover)

~ Garth Williams (Author, Illustrator) "Two little rabbits, a white rabbit, and a black rabbit, lived in a large forest..." (more)
Key Phrases: little black rabbit, little white rabbit

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

‘Truly exquisite large pictures tell a sweet story of two little rabbits who lived ‘happily ever after’ in the friendly forest.’ —CS.‘Will delight the youngest ones. . . . Of unusual beauty.’ —SLJ.

About the Author

Garth Williams(1912-1996) is the renowned illustrator of almost one hundred books for children, including the beloved Stuart Little by E. B. White, Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban, and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He was born in New York City but raised in England. He founded an art school near London and served with the British Red Cross Civilian Defense during World War II. Williams worked as a portrait sculptor, art director, and magazine artist before doing his first book, Stuart Little, thus beginning a long and brilliant career illustrating some of the best-known children's books.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 30, 1958)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060264950
• ISBN-13: 978-0060264956
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #20 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( W ) > Williams, Garth
  #64 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Rabbits > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars censorship, January 24, 2005

By	Jean Sue Libkind "bookschlepper" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the book that opened my eyes to the censorship of books. Around 1960, this book was quite controversial and banned in some places. I had just started working in a library and went immediately to the book to see what the fuss was about.

Oh, yeah. It's a white bunny and a black bunny. I imagine the illustrator did this so you could tell one from the other in a black-and-white book; wouldn't it be confusing if they were both white or both black?

Busy (or maybe it's idle) minds can see anything, I guess. Advocating mixed racial marriage? I didn't think so then and I don't 45 years later.

The expressions on these two rabbits' faces are so precious, I can't believe anybody sees anything more than a warm, wonderful story with incredible illustrations.

The Bookschlepper

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story... Beautifully Illustrated!, December 17, 2002

By	Meg Solheim (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This is a book for young children. This is a simple, absolutely beautifully illustrated hardcover book. Each entire page is fully illustrated by the incomparable Gareth Williams, who illustrated many very famous children's books, and the story flows along simply and easily.

I loved this story because it gives little children an easy way to comprehend a marriage and why people have a wedding. The two rabbits decide they want to be together "forever and ever" and so they have a wedding, to celebrate their decision. It's very sweet and simple.

The sentiments at the end of the book are just as deliciously sweet. "And the little rabbit was never sad again.." How wonderful! A lovely thing to teach children.... how marriage is meant to make two people happy forever. A pleasant idea in this era of anti-committment-single-parents.

I shake my head in confusion at someone who would try to say this book contains racial themes. The rabbits are different colors, let's not "read into" a 4 year old's book. When adults start reading racial themes into a toddler's book, they personify why bigotry exists in the first place.

I purchased this book as a gift for our 4 year old ring-bearer in our upcoming wedding, as he is very excited about weddings and trying to understand why his Uncle Johnny and I are having one. This book is delightful and very beautiful. The rabbits facial expressions are just precious. I am going to re-purchase this book for myself after giving it to my new nephew.

In review, this book is very simple, very beautiful and fun to read to little ones. Recommmended! I loved it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, February 5, 2004

By A Customer

I got this book 22 years ago for my daughter. It has always been her favorite story. When she went to college and found out that it was a banned book in the 50s because of the racial theme she was amazed. It is a delightful story of two sweet little rabbits who find happiness together. The illustrations are beautiful. I love the use of yellow as the only real color.