The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real - Softcover

Williams, Margery

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0380002558 ISBN 13: 9780380002559

Publisher: Avon Books, 1996

Synopsis

Nursery magic is very strange and wonderful. This classic illustrated story continues to be loved by generations of families.

"There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid," this story begins. "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."

But before long, the stuffed rabbit has been largely forgotten, and the rabbit dreams of becoming Real. To become Real, a wise old toy explains, is "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..."

But how will the rabbit ever achieve his dream of becoming Real?

This is a heartwarming story that stands the test of time, and this affordable edition of the beloved classic includes the complete text and original illustrations.

About this title

About the Author

Margery Williams was born in London in 1881. The Velveteen Rabbit was the first, and best known, of her thirty children's books.

From the Back Cover

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. "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. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. 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."

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Velveteen Rabbit

By Margery Williams Bianco

Avon Books

Copyright ©1999 Margery Williams Bianco
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9780380002559
"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 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."



Continues...

Excerpted from The Velveteen Rabbitby Margery Williams Bianco Copyright ©1999 by Margery Williams Bianco. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Avon Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0380002558
• ISBN 13: 9780380002559
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Nicholson William
• Number of pages: 40