The Case for Loving

In 1958 in a small town in Virginia, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter met, fell in love, and made plans to marry. But Richard was white and Mildred was "what they called colored," and it was against the law in Virginia and 16 other states for interracial couples to marry. This lovely animated adaptation of the 2015 picture book written by Selina Alko and co-illustrated by Alko and Sean Qualls tells the story of Richard and Mildred, who married legally in Washington, D.C., but were arrested and jailed after returning to Virginia. The couple resettled in D.C., but wanted to come back with their children to Virginia, so they sought legal help that led to a case heard by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1967. The unanimous decision favored the Lovings, who "lived happily and legally ever after." Original background music, realistic sound effects, and Bahni Turpin’s compassionate narration accompany the digital animation of the paint and collage illustrations. In an author’s note narrated by Alko, she explains that she and her husband, Qualls, are an interracial couple who faced none of the hurdles that the Lovings endured. Portraits of Alko and Qualls and selected civil rights photos precede a brief introduction to the book’s illustrations. Also including a read-along option, The Case for Loving is a good discussion starter about civil rights and the fight for equal rights, aimed at younger viewers. Recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (S. Beauregard)