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The Velveteen Rabbit
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The Velveteen Rabbit Paperback - 2015

by Margery Williams

About this book

The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real, is the story of a toy rabbit who wants to become real through the love of his owner. The stuffed rabbit is overlooked by the boy whom he is given, the boy preferring to play with more mechanical and sophisticated toys than the simple stuffed rabbit. The rabbit holds onto a story told to him by the oldest and wisest toy in the nursery, the skin horse, about how toys can become real through love. Eventually, the boy becomes attached to the soft doll, but after developing scarlet fever the doctor orders the boy sent away to recover and all his toys and belonging burnt. The rabbit is so sad over his separation from the boy he begins to cry and sheds a real tear - after which the nursery fairy appears to turn him into a real rabbit.

It has been adapted many times into television, film and onto the stage. The National Education Association listed it among the top 100 books for teachers of children in 2007.

Author Margery Williams’ first children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit was published in 1922 by George H. Doran Company in London and has remained in print continuously since, owing to its popularity as a story of the power of enduring love.

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From the publisher

The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real: Illustrated. A children's novel written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real through the love of his owner. The book was first published in 1922 and has been republished many times since. The Velveteen Rabbit was Williams' first children's book. It has been awarded the IRA/CBC Children's Choice award. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." A stuffed rabbit sewn from velveteen is given as a present to a small boy, but is neglected for toys of higher quality or function, which shun him in response. The rabbit is informed of magically becoming Real by the wisest and oldest toy in the nursery as a result of extreme adoration and love from children, and he is awed by this concept; however, his chances of achieving this wish are slight.

First Edition Identification

The UK printing and the US printing occurred simultaneously and feature yellow-tan pictorial boards picturing a rabbit and seven chromolithographs by William Nicholson (later issues contained reproductions of these). One of the most coveted children’s books for collectors, copies in a dust jacket often appear for over $5,000, with pristine copies well exceeding $15,000.

Details

  • Title The Velveteen Rabbit
  • Author Margery Williams
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Ill
  • Pages 26
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Date 2015-06-11
  • ISBN 9781514316191 / 1514316196
  • Weight 0.11 lbs (0.05 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.05 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 0.13 cm)
  • Ages 04 to 08 years
  • Grade levels P - 3
  • Reading level 1050
  • Dewey Decimal Code E

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