The Velveteen Rabbit & Other Stories

By Margery Williams

An anthology of beloved classic children’s stories

When a little boy chooses to play with the Velveteen Rabbit instead of his more expensive toys, the doll learns what it means to be truly Real. Young and old alike will enjoy this collection of time-honored tales, featuring the stuffed bunny and including other favorites such as:

• The Frog Prince
• Peter Pan
• The Good Little Mouse
• Princess Cat
• Pinocchio
• Thumbelina
• Little Red Riding Hood
• The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
• Chicken Little
• The Ugly Duckling

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 3, 2010
• ISBN: 9780062023452

Margery Williams

Margery Williams (1881–1944) was an English American author of children’s books. Born in London, she moved to the United States with her family following the death of her father. Her most famous work remains the enduring classic The Velveteen Rabbit, which has been adapted numerous times for radio, stage, and screen. 

Book preview

The Velveteen Rabbit

There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming.

There were other things in the stocking, nuts and oranges and a toy engine, and chocolate almonds and a clockwork mouse, but the Rabbit was quite the best of all. For at least two hours the Boy loved him, and then Aunts and Uncles came to dinner, and there was a great rustling of tissue paper and unwrapping of parcels, and in the excitement of looking at all the new presents the Velveteen Rabbit was forgotten.

For a long time he lived in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor, and no one thought very much about him. He was naturally shy, and being only made of velveteen, some of the more expensive toys quite snubbed him. The mechanical toys were very superior, and looked down upon every one else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real. The model boat, who had lived through two seasons and lost most of his paint, caught the tone from them and never missed an opportunity of referring to his rigging in technical terms. The Rabbit could not claim to be a model of anything, for he didn’t know that real rabbits existed; he thought they were all stuffed with sawdust like himself, and he understood that sawdust was quite out-of-date and should never be mentioned in modern circles. Even Timothy, the jointed wooden lion, who was made by the disabled soldiers, and should have had broader views, put on airs and pretended he was connected with Government. Between them all the poor little Rabbit was made to feel himself very insignificant and commonplace, and the only person who was kind to him at all was the Skin Horse.

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

What is REAL? asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?

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.

Does it hurt? asked the Rabbit.

Sometimes, said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.

Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, he asked, or bit by bit?

"It

Reviews for The Velveteen Rabbit & Other Stories

[foof2you · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What does it mean to be REAL? This is the question that the Velveteen Rabbit asks in this book. It is a question that maybe readers should ask themselves today in a world where, "What is real?" is being asked a lot these days.

[bookslesstravelled · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sad, yet one of my favorite childhood books.

[lgcullens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To many people this small story needs no introduction. I included it here because it was my daughter's favorite book. I read it so many times I pretty much knew it by heart.

The story chronicles a stuffed rabbit's desire to become real through the love of his owner. First published in 1922 it has been republished many times since.

If you haven't read this to your young children, you are missing some wonderful feelings.

[fliss88_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lovely children’s story book. It's considered a classic and I've finally read it. Simple tale of make believe, friendships and rabbits!

[deborahj2016 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A true Classic. And now I can never get rid of my stuffed animals. Thanks.

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I...hadn't realized just how short a story this was. It's a sweet little fairy story (literally, the fairy appears near the end to Make Him Real). A pleasant read, though there's not a lot there, at least on the surface.

[jfe16 · Rating: 5 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.” This is the classic story of a boy and his stuffed velveteen rabbit. It’s about becoming Real in a story that has fascinated children of all ages. It’s a story of unconditional love and childhood magic. This book, part of the Kohl’s Cares program, is an heirloom edition to be shared, to be read aloud, to be loved.Highly recommended.

[xandylion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Formative, for me. Still makes me cry.

[linyarai · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A great classic.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[helenliz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bought for a young relative, I didn't realise this was one to tug at the heart strings. Boy (the child remains unnamed) gets a stuffed rabbit for Christmas. Gradually the rabbit gets loved and, by the magic of the nursery, becomes Real. Lovely illustrations in a slightly old fashioned style.

[cyderry · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely little book which tells of how a loved stuffed rabbit becomes "real" just because a child believes. I have several stuffed animals that I too believe are "real". They are my companions on quiet days and enjoy reading with me.

[kphotowrtr2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved, loved, loved this childhood book ... What it truly means to be loved.

[shahnareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this story. It's so sad and happy at the same time. A great kids books. Every child should have this read to them.


This part is my favourite part.

“What is REAL?" asked the Velveteen Rabbit one day... "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When [someone] loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.

"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand... once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

[mmoj_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was always one of my favorite books. The wonderful rabbit who was such a good playmate for the boy. That Velveteen Rabbit is the essence of childhood, of faith and that naive innocence that treats everyone the same (toys and people) and who can believe that toys can be made real if you are just loved enough. And isn't that what magic is all about?

[heatherlinc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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

[jennysbookbag.com · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this story. It's sad, but beautiful. The movie version made me cry like a baby.

[thebookmagpie · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Made me ruinously sad as a child and I'm pretty sure I didn't learn anything from it except not to get one of those horrible olden days plague-diseases.

[viragoreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story of love ans dreams coming true. This is in my top three of childhood favorites.

[hmgthomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

BEST. BOOK. EVER.

[cpaavola-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a classic story about a toy rabbit who wants so much to become real. The rabbit is owned by a young boy who loves him very much and plays with him all the time. The rabbit learns from his friend the skin horse that toys can become real when they are loved and played with. Then one day the boy says that his rabbit it Real and that makes the bunny happy until he sees two actual rabbits and discovers that he isn't a live rabbit. Then the rabbit needs to be thrown out because the boy had been sick and he encounters a fairy who turns him into an actual rabbit and he is truly Real. This is a classic story that shows the imagination of a child and the great love children have for their toys, so much so, they sometimes seem real. This can start discussion about what makes something "real" How one person defines real may be different to someone else. A teacher could have a student journal about one of their favorite toys as a child and if it was Real to them or not. This book could be used in a unit on classic books, books on imagination or friendship. The illustrations in this book are the original artwork. There are only eighth illustrations and they are spread throughout the book but not on every page. Sometimes the picture comes before the text that is depicting or explaining it which can be confusing. The style of illustration is hand drawn ink and color sketches with minimal use of color. The colors that are used are mainly the primary colors or muted blues, brown and yellow hues. The illustrations have a messy, chaotic feel because the backgrounds aren't solid colors but almost scribbled in and it adds to the busyness of the picture.

[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.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reissue of the classic as originally published in 1922 with the William Nicholson illustrations.

[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.

[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.

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

This classic modern fantasy is about a Velveteen Rabbit who is bought for a little boy and sent to live with the other play toys in the nursery awaiting the day they will be the chosen toy to be played with. The Velveteen Rabbit befriends a wise Skin Horse who knows everything about the nursery, and life. Life, as the Skin Horse tells the Velveteen Rabbit, is when you are made real by the love of a human. The Skin Horse suggests that when a child really truly loves you, then you become real, and the Velveteen Rabbit is really truly loved by Boy.

[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!