Monday, June 16, 2008

Spotty

Spotty
Margret Rey with pictures by H.A. Rey/ published 1945 by Houghton Mifflin Co.


Brought to you by the husband and wife inventors of the world of Curious George, Spotty is in print after years of being out and tells the tale of a little bunny that gets a bum wrap because he looks different from the rest of his furry clan. When even momma gives him the diss because he has brown spots instead of snow white fur like his siblings, little Spotty runs away and finds there is a world of bigotry of another color waiting just outside his doorstep.

Mother Bunny and Aunt Eliza had a long talk. Mother Bunny was close to tears.

"How many did you say?" Aunt Eliza asked.

"Nine. Nine little bunnies, born last Friday. Eight of them look just the way the others in the family look. Snow-white with pink eyes and pink ears. But the ninth..." Mother Bunny began to cry. "The ninth looks all different..."


Perhaps the racist theme is a little vague, but the message is clear. We are all people (or rabbits), and we all bleed when we get cut no matter what color our spots are. In today's anti-bully age, it's a good lesson to learn. Plus it has bunnies, and who doesn't love bunnies!?!

Also by:
Pretzel
Curious George Flies a Kite
Katy No-Pocket

3 comments:

  1. Not related to Spotty but did you know that Curious George also had another name ZoZo. Not sure if these were only published in Australia but you can see my copy here http://snailblazer.blogspot.com/2008/03/vintage-illustrations-day-7.html

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  2. I haven't seen this one. I'll have to keep an eye out for it. I love the story Pretzel. The dog illustrations in it are so cute.

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  3. Zozo is such a great name for an alter ego!

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