The Velveteen Rabbit: or, How Toys Become Real

By Margery Williams Bianco and William Nicholson

The Velveteen Rabbit is not a 'real' rabbit, like the rabbits he meets in the forest. He has seams and is full of stuffing. Still, the Velveteen Rabbit doesn't mind as long as the boy who owns him loves him. One of the rabbit's friends tells him that a toy becomes real if its owner truly loves it. But when the boy leaves home to recover from an illness and is forced to leave his Velveteen Rabbit behind, what will become of his beloved toy? A heartwarming tale of childhood and the transforming power of love, this unabridged version of the children's picture book written by English-American author Margery Williams Bianco was first published in 1922.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781467798419

Margery Williams Bianco

Margery Williams Bianco (1881-1944) was an English American children’s book writer. Born in London, she was encouraged to read from a young age by her father, a barrister and classics scholar. In 1890, following her father’s untimely death, Williams and her sister moved with their mother Pennsylvania, where Margery was enrolled at the Covent School in Sharon Hill. Marked by her father’s death, however, and by his encouragement of her literary and creative interests, Margery returned to London in 1901 to embark on a career as a professional writer. She published her first novel, The Late Returning, in 1902, and though it failed commercially she was encouraged to write and publish several more works of fiction. After meeting him through her publisher, Margery married Francesco Bianco in 1904, and the two had a son and a daughter. The family moved from England to Paris before settling in Turin, Italy, where Francesco joined the Italian Army to fight in the First World War. During this difficult time, Margery found solace in the works of English writer Walter de la Mare, who would inspire much of her work to come. In 1921, Margery and Francesco moved their family to Greenwich Village, where their daughter Pamela, a child prodigy, excelled as a painter. In 1922, inspired by de le Mare’s works, Bianco published her most famous book, The Velveteen Rabbit. Recognized as a classic work of children’s literature, it has been adapted numerous times for radio, theatre, film, and television. In 1937, Bianco was awarded a Newbery Medal for her book Winterbound.

Book preview

The Velveteen Rabbit believes that a toy becomes real if its owner truly loves it. Will he get that chance? A heartwarming childhood tale, this unabridged version of the children’s picture book written by English-American author Margery Williams Bianco was first published in 1922; the text is in the public domain. This First Avenue Classics™ version has placed the text into a new design to make this book appealing and easier to read in both digital and paperback formats. This book also features original illustrations by artist William Nicholson, which also appeared in the 1922 edition. The eBook contains a hyperlinked Table of Contents for navigation. The First Avenue Classics™ version is unabridged and has been proofed for formatting errors. Errors and alternate spellings found in the original book have not been changed. When necessary, artwork was modified to fit the format of this edition.

Copyright ©2015 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing

Reviews for The Velveteen Rabbit

[tldegray-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this when I was very small and could never get the story out of my head. It's sad and wonderful. Read it with a tissue at hand.

[regularguy5mb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my absolute favorite stories from childhood, and the last on my little trip down memory lane revisiting the books of my youth (those that I currently own, at least).What can one say about the Velveteen Rabbit that hasn't been said already? It's so tender, and tragic, and beautiful, and sweet, and touching. It makes you cry both sad and happy tears. And those lovely illustrations by William Nicholson are just wonderful.This particular edition, again from my childhood, is a beautiful hardcover in a slipcase. No idea where it came from (parents or a gift from parents' friends), but I know it was a constant favorite, and it remains one today.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful children's classic with beautiful illustrations to enhance the story.

[1avidfan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Don Daily’s illustrations makes the classic, “Velventeen Rabbit” magical. I highly recommend this particular edition of the book.ww2

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my absolute favorites. I recently shared this book with my son and I was so glad that be also loved it.

[koryd-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"That night he was almost too happy to sleep, and so much love stirred in his little sawdust heart that it almost burst." (Williams, 1958, p.13)First published in 1922 and winner of the IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award, this story continues to capture the imagination of the young and old. The original text and original artwork are featured in this edition of the famous children's story my Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. The story begins at Christmas when the Boy receives a velveteen rabbit in his stocking. The toy is quickly forgotten and abandoned for a long time before eventually becoming the Boy's favorite. The magic begins to happen when the toy's existence is threatened by the Boy's scarlet fever and the velveteen rabbit's quest to become real takes incredible turns. The artwork is completely fantastic, but it is the text that dominates the pages. The prose and plot move swiftly along with a blend of dialogue and action that is endearing and enjoyable. Children with enough patience to sit and listen will love it!

[slarsoncollins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't recall ever reading this book as a child, but I sure loved it as an adult. I've moved it to the top of the pile of books to read with my two young sons. I'm sure they'll enjoy it to. It's short enough to keep their attention, but long enough to make for a pleasant bedtime story for a few nights.

[rachelbowers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story sure to demonstrate how the power of love affects others. The velveteen rabbit is a new toy given a Christmas that gets tossed aside once other gifts are opened. Once the little boy becomes ill with scarlet fever his grandmother gives him the velveteen rabbit for comfort when another toy cant be found. It is also an important lesson on value.

[tburfe1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely love this book! This has been one of my favorites, and is such a sweet story every time I read it. The language is clear, and the writing flows. The characters may not be realistic, but they are so believable and very well-developed. The plot is organized, and delivers the messages of unconditional love and what it means to be "real". The illustrations are gorgeous and enhance the story. Readers think about what it means to be real, to love unconditionally.

[sportzmomof5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another classic

[benfulton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic, of course, nevertheless my three-year-old boy was unimpressed. He certainly bonds with other books; I'm not sure what was missing from this one. Maybe we'll give it another try at Christmas.

[marycha-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book is about a stuff rabbit that was well loved by a young boy who took him everywhere. But when the rabbit turned dirty and the boy catching scarlet fever, his parents wanted to get rid of everything that was contaminated, so the rabbit was thrown away. He finds the true meaning of being "Real" after meeting a fairy.

[ktextor_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A boy receives a Velveteen Rabbit for Christmas. The Velveteen Rabbit is snubbed by other more expensive or mechanical toys, the latter of which fancy themselves real. One day while talking with the Skin Horse, the Rabbit learns that a toy becomes real if its owner really and truly loves it. When the boy's china dog is misplaced, the Velveteen Rabbit is given to the boy as a quick replacement by the maid. The Velveteen Rabbit soon takes his place as the boy's constant companion. The Rabbit becomes shabbier, but the boy loves him no matter what. In the woods near the boy's home, the Velveteen Rabbit meets actual rabbits, and learns about the differences between himself and the real rabbits when the real rabbits prove he is not real by his inability to hop and jump. The Velveteen Rabbit's companionship with the boy lasts until the boy falls ill with scarlet fever. The boy becomes too ill to play for a very long time; upon his recovery, he is sent to the seaside on doctor's orders. The doctor orders all the toys the boy has played with, including the Rabbit, be burned in order to disinfect the nursery. The boy is given a new plush rabbit and is so excited about the trip to the seaside that he forgets his old Velveteen Rabbit. While awaiting the bonfire, in which the Velveteen Rabbit will be burned, the Rabbit cries a real tear. This tear brings forth the Nursery Magic Fairy. She tells the Rabbit that he was only real to the boy, and then brings him to the woods and kisses him, making him real to everybody. He soon discovers that he is a real rabbit at last and runs to join the other rabbits in the wild. The following spring, the boy sees the Rabbit hopping in the wild and thinks he looks like his old Velveteen Rabbit, but he never knows that it actually was.

[mihalevich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author Margery WilliamsTitle The Velveteen RabbitIllustrator Christopher SantoroPublisher Western PublishingPages 20Date 1990Summary of main plot: This book is about a boy that loves his stuffed rabbit. The boy got it for Christmas one year. For awhile the rabbit lived in the toy cupboard with the rest of the toys. The rabbit comes to life and asks the horse which is another one of the boys toys. "What is real?" On night when the boy was going to bed he couldn't find the china doll he sleeps with so his grandma gives him the rabbit to sleep with instead. The boy falls in love with this rabbit and sleeps with him every night from now on. They play together. Finally the boy had to give the rabbit up throw him away because the boy came down with scarlet fever and wanted every toy out of the house that all the toys he has played with must be burned. Then the fairy came and turned him into a real rabbit where he could go be with other rabbits and frolic and play. The tags and subject headings would ne loyalty and friendshipMy response: I love this book. I use to read this book many times when I was a kid I lived the pictures in this book too, It always made me sad when I came to the part where the boy had to throw the rabbit away. Poor rabbit. :(

[sdpugh_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A touching story that appeals to all young children.

[harrisrm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite classics, like the skin Horse, the the understands children's imagination of how toys can become real to them. After reading this wonderful classic again it was even better! I can really appreciated its message. This book "Velveteen Rabbity" one of Margery Williams first classics popular tales is about how a toy rabbit learns the true meaning of being real. I love this book, the whole concept of being real just moves me so much every time I read it!

[nmhale_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

We were gifted this book recently; not surprising, as it is a classic in the children book world. It's always packaged as a picture book, but really there's too much text for that - it's more of a short story that is always lavishly illustrated. Theplot must be familiar to readers. A toy velveteen rabbit becomes a little boy's favorite plaything. He loves him to pieces, but the Velveteen rabbit doesn't care about his faded appearance, because the boy's love has made him a Real bunny. When the boy catches Scarlet Fever, though, the doctor considers the Velveteen rabbit a dangerous source of germs, and he is thrown out to be burned. As the rabbit cries over his sad fate, the nursery magic fairy comes and turns him into a real living bunny. The story is sweet. It has endured through time as a tale of love and life. I could never dislike The Velveteen Rabbit, it has too much nostalgic connection with childhood, but I think it betrays its age. The text is so wordy, and it would be more powerful if simplified. The magic nursery fairy made me giggle. Couldn't it have been just a fairy? Nonetheless, the emotional power of the story continues unabated, and the detailed text could easily survive on its own, without the pictures; but then the pictures are a trademark of The Velveteen Rabbit. Soft and detailed illustrations that make a reader want to reach out and squeeze that plucky rabbit. I understand why it has remained a steady classic in the children's book world, and believe it deserves a place on the bibliophile's bookshelf. On the other hand, I believe my daughters will need to be quite a bit older before they can appreciate this story themselves.

[petersinclair_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a classic story about a boy and his companion. The toy rabbit becomes his favorite after he can't find the stuffed animal he usually sleeps with. After the boy received him for Christmas, he was forgotten, and even shunned by his toy peers. Later in the book, the boy gets deathly ill, and the rabbit comforts him. When the boy gets better, all this belongings are to be burned, including the Velveteen Rabbit. A fairy appears and spares the rabbit. The boys love has made him real. The most touching part of the book is when t he boy sees the rabbit after he is real and has a glint of recognition.

[dustandshadow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Yet another of those childhood classics that depressed me. I would use this as a good way to talk to my kids about illness, selflessness, bravery, compassion, and karma.

[riao-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a beautiful story of a boy's love for his stuffed bunny. In this story, a boy has a favorite stuffed animal he loves very much. When he gets sick, all his contaminated bedding and stuffed animals are taken outside to be thrown away. The little rabbit cries a tear in which a fairy appears and because of the love of the boy, makes the bunny a real bunny.I LOVED this story and would definitely share this with pre-kindergarten and up as it is a touching story that is so relatable to many kids, as they also have stuffed animals that they love very much.I also loved the illustrations in this book!

[zeebreez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1983. This is a very sweet and enchanting story about a soft toy rabbit that is a little boy's playmate. He wants to become real and does become real in the eyes of the boy. The rabbit's feelings for his boy become so strong that when he is cast out of the nursery because of scarlet fever, he cries. His tears bring a magical fairy who turn him into a real rabbit. One of the underlying themes is when a person is loved it doesn't matter how old they get. They will always give us fond memories and live on in our hearts. I liked how the author used a worn, much-loved toy horse to explain what it means to be real. The plot is original and consistant throughout.The author makes us believe the rabbit is real by expressing the true emotions he feels. Age group: 7-10.

[emilydrennan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Velveteen Rabbit is a story about a rabbit that a boy receives for Christmas. He opens the rabbit and loves it, but tosses it to the side once he opens more presents. The rabbit is put away in a cupboard and is often found on the floor of the nursery. He befriends a Skin Horse who explains to him that they more you are loved and played with by a child, the more real you become. The velveteen rabbit eventually gets the chance to be loved by the boy and has the opportunity to become real. This story is about how loving your toys gives them a purpose and makes them real for you. As an activity, each student could bring in their favorite toy and share it with the class.

[akwon3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for two reasons. One reason I liked this book was for the way the story was written. I thought that the way the author wrote the story was great. For example, she introduced the idea of nursery magic and things becoming real very briefly in the beginning as if just to slightly introduce the topic. Then, she doesn't mention again until towards the end of the book when the velveteen rabbit actually becomes real. I think that it really brings the story full circle. Another reason I liked this book was for the illustrations. Although it is a picture book, there aren't pictures on every single page. There are pictures at the beginning of every new section of the story. I thought that this really helped distinguish the different parts of the story and emphasized what was happening. Overall, I think that the main message of this story was the power of love showcased through the boy and the velveteen rabbit.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Maudlin as hell, but convincing to the point that I used to carefully make sure every doll got attention, so they could all "become Real." Also, put the fear of Scarlet Fever into me! Way to go, old-timey books.

[flamingrosedrakon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was one of my absolute favorite books when I was growing up.... This story is short and sweet while easy to understand so it stays with you even after so many years. The older you get and the more you mature the more the story will mean to you for you will be able to see the lesson that is being told. The author has a beautiful way with words that bring the story to life whether it is the gentle fairy holding the Velveteen Rabbit, the other rabbits skipping in the woods or digging under the sheets. And the best voice I have found in the story is that of the old horse. But the best part of the story is that it is real. I had a Real cat named Buttercup who was a last gift that I had received before my adoptive parents broke-up. And through the years with all the troubles, tears and pain that my sisters as well I went through she became just as Real to us and just as important in our own lives thus it is a memory-filled book for me.

[michcard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entirely different book when read as an adult

[silly_tine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great book about a child's love for a toy that wants to be a real bunny. In the end, the bunny gets what it wants for his dedication to the boy while he was sick.

[crunchymunchkin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."Like the Skin Horse, Margery Williams understood how toys, and people, become real through the wisdom and experience of love. Williams' tale about the transforming power of love is as universal as it is timeless.

[heidijones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the sweetest classic stories I have read. In the beginning, the rabbit is a gift given to the young boy. The boy does not choose the rabbit as his favorite toy, and he even forgets about him for a while. Then, the boy's grandmother gives him the rabbit to sleep with one night when another toy becomes lost. The rabbit has heard tales of toys becoming real with enough love from their owners, and he wishes for that to come true for him. The plot twists when the boy becomes sick with scarlet fever (the book was originally written in 1922, and it is ordered that all of his toys be burnt and his room be cleaned and rid of the germs. The rabbit becomes real while he cries, and he is rescued by a fairy who takes him to a forest where he can live a real life. When he visits the boy later, the boy notices that he looks much like his toy.I loved that the power of love gave the rabbit life- a true testimony to it's force!

[asousley_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The rabbit wanted to be real and loved. Nana couldn't find the toy the boy slept with and she gave him the rabbit. The boy loved to sleep and play with the rabbit. The boy got sick and the rabbit was thrown away. A Fairy picks up the rabbit and shows him what being real is.Good story on lifes ups and downs.A teacher could use this as a lesson to show how we are not always happy and not always sad. Life has it's ups and downs.