My grandfather, Arthur Vallee, creator of Rainbow Rabbit, lived quite a life.
Disney animator. Check.
Actor in Hollywood. Check.
Professional songwriter for a television series. Check.
Successful automobile dealer for over 50 years. Check.
Married to my grandmother for 63 years. Check.
What could be my grandfather’s greatest accomplishment of all, however, is his wonderful gift that has inspired thousands of young children and touched the lives of many more, young and old, near and far.
Allow me to explain.
Rainbow Rabbit is a cute, cuddly, fictional character, whose story of empathy, acceptance and overcoming odds has won him widespread admiration and affection of children and adults all across the globe. The book, written by my grandfather, has empowered children, adults and educators across the country (and beyond) to stay true to themselves and embrace their uniqueness, despite many obstacles that can remain in our path. The book has also launched a popular school program available from grades Pre-K through Third Grade.
We recently celebrated the relaunch of my grandfather’s book, complete with brand new illustrations and an updated rhyme scheme. Even though Rainbow Rabbit has had a slight makeover, the lessons taught by the character remain the same.
One of the reasons the character of Rainbow Rabbit has been so effective is his relatability. You’re probably thinking, “How in the world can anybody relate to the story of a colorful, fictional character?” In all actuality, almost everyone can relate in some capacity, for a multitude of reasons. More on that in a bit. But first, here’s a quick summary.
Rainbow Rabbit lives in Lettuce Valley. His colorful coat makes him stand out from the other rabbits, who sadly refuse to play with him, because he looks different.
This causes Rainbow Rabbit to feel lonely and isolated. As a result, he tries desperately to change his appearance. After various attempts, he comes to discover that he’s still the same. Without giving too much away (because we want you to read the book!) it appears all hope is lost, until Rainbow meets the Princess of Lettuce Valley. And along with her mother, the queen, the duo makes Rainbow Rabbit realize he is unique and special just the way he is. The end result is a transformation so empowering that it’s truly something to behold.
As previously mentioned, Rainbow and his surrounding cast are relatable to many. With the new school year upon us, this especially rings true for young children, as well as educators.
For some, Rainbow Rabbit represents a child at a new school, who may have problems making new friends for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps the new student suffers from a disability, which could prevent them from playing certain games other classmates play. This could also be unchartered territory for their fellow students, who have never encountered this scenario previously in their lives.
From the outside, it would seem that the princess has very little worries. After all, she lives with her mom and dad in a castle, and has individuals readily fulfilling any request she could ask for! However, like the perception of many students at schools across the world, not everything is as it seems. Her obligations as a princess leaves very little time for her to make true friends of her own. Most importantly, genuine friends ultimately unimpressed with her association with royalty.
Kind, courteous, and always empathetic, the princess represents the kind of friend everyone should grow up having. The princess could represent the student who asks the new classmate to sit with them at their table, when nobody else is offering an invitation. Or maybe a student has nobody to play with at recess or, or sit next to someone on the bus ride home from school. Having a friend like the princess can be a life-changing moment for a child. Unfortunately, that kind of impactful presence can be more of an exception to the rule. The world needs more people of her caliber, and our school programs encourage young children to be the type of friend that not only makes a difference in the classroom, but also the world!
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Discover the magic of learning with Rainbow Rabbit, and explore a world where every child’s imagination is celebrated—order the Rainbow Rabbit Educational Program today!
