Source
University of Florida’s Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature
Baldwin Call #
Baldwin Call #39p1777
Description
This operetta book includes songs with piano sheet music and stage directions for a three-act play based on The Story of Little Black Sambo. The text includes several black and white illustrations, as well as pictures of second grade children dressed as the characters for a staging of the play in Montebello, California.
A Foreword written by Ola H. Meredith instructs teachers to have students create a “grass hut” structure out of brown wrapping paper, as well as palm trees. Additionally, Meredith notes that “Large doll figures made of black cambric with black yarn for hair, white buttons for eyes, red cambric mouths, dressed as Sambo, Mumbo, and Jumbo, make an attractive addition to the house” (iii). By encouraging teachers to create African-esque set pieces and Gollywog-like dolls, Meredith reinforces negative racial stereotypes about black people.
Creator
Ola H. Meredith
Contributor(s)
No illustrator credited
Publisher
The Boston Music Co
Publication Date
1944
Format
13 pages; black and white illustrations; 17 x 27 cm.
Language
English