Hi - thanks for your honest and thoughtful comments.
I think that I see The Rabbits in the context of the history of Australia. I think that it definitely isn't racist but is actually trying to do something opposite. Some of the pictures are brutal and thought provoking - in order to make a point. I think the book can be interpreted on a number of levels - but is in my view about invasion, colonialism, and brutality to the indigenous animals and people. The rabbits, I think, are meant to symbolise the invaders ie British and other Europeans who virtually wiped out the indigenous Australian people (did you see The Rabbit-Proof Fence see http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0252444/ for trailer). Rabbits were introduced into Australia by Europeans, wiping out many indigenous species animals - so in fact they provide an analogy for what happened to the people. In the teaching sequence which we've written for this teachers' book - see http://www.clpe.co.uk/powerofreading/teachers_materials9xz.html there are a couple of website refs about the background eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits%20in%20Australia
I also think that the book raises other issues about the destructive power of development on beliefs and values.
Tell us what you think!
Olivia
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