The Velveteen Rabbit

Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Masterpiece. You MUST Own This Book.
Review: The Velveteen Rabbit will always be one of the most treasured children's books of all time. I've read the book many times at various stages of my childhood, and now that I'm 22-years-old, I find that this timeless story isn't just for children.

This, of course, is the story of a stuffed toy rabbit who seems to have a life of his own. "The Boy" finds the rabbit in his stocking at Christmas. After playing with him for a short time, the rabbit is put away on a shelf where he is to stay for an extended period of time. While on that shelf, he befriends a fellow stuffed toy animal called the Skin Horse. The horse tells the rabbit all about what it means to become "real", and the rabbit is quickly enamored by this aspiration. One day, the rabbit is taken off the shelf and given to the boy who cuddles with him every night and takes him wherever he goes during the day. The rabbit feels truly loved, and is thrilled when the boy tells him that he's real. There's a touching part of the story where the rabbit toy is confronted by two real rabbits who tease him about being just a toy, and he vehemently maintains that he, too, is real because "the boy said so."

I'm not going to give away the ending, but I have to admit that I felt the same lump in my throat while reading this book now as I did when I first read it many years ago. I know of college students who've had to read this book for class. There's a great deal to be learned here about beauty and love. While the story remains the same, the message changes as one grows older.

This book is a definite necessity for anyone's personal library.

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: There is definately a touch of sadness to "The Velveteen Rabbit," and yet there is a lot of joy, too. Margery Williams manages to tap into our emotions to make us feel the scope of the different feelings presented.

Yes, we feel sad when the rabbit is tossed in the trash to get burned. Sure, we feel awkward when two real rabbits ask where his hind legs are. But does that not make his final transformation that much better?

That is set up in the begining discussion with Skin Horse, who says, "When you are real, you don't mind being hurt." REAL is the ultimate. It's what you strive for. Yes, there will be pain but that will be followed by joy.

Read this classic and learn from it.

(Also reccomended is Hoban's "The Mouse and His Child" and "The Velveteen Priciples: A Guide To Becoming Real" by Toni Raiten-D'Antonio.)

Rating:
Summary: A must read for ALL ages!
Review: This book is a must read for all ages. I also sincerely recommend it for the more "mature" reader. There is a wonderful tale of being loved and and learning that not being needed anymore doesn't mean you aren't or never were loved or needed. Again excellent book for all ages. Expecially for the "kid" inside all of us adults. It will bring that feeling of childlike play and wonder back to your mind. Don't just give it to your child. Read it to them, with them, and do it more than once. Becoming real, is real, honest, and fun for all ages!

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Summary: The most inspirational story that I've ever read.
Review: This is a heartwarming story about a toy rabbit filled with sawdust that wants to be real. He realizes what the meaning of "real" is when his owner, a young boy, gives him the answer for which he searches. My wife bought this book for me last month. I missed it as a child. I've learned the lesson in this book in traditional ways, by trial and error. I would have loved to have this treasure as a child and thank my beautiful wife, Lori, for giving it to me, now. Only real love has any meaning or longevity, at all. I ask you readers to not pass up this gem of a book. It is a must for children and adults alike.

Rating:
Summary: Does it hurt to be real?
Review: This is my all-time favorite children's book! A little boy receives a stuffed rabbit for Christmas, and they love each other until one day...This book is so true and honest in its emotion, you will not be able to read it without shedding tears. It deserves much more than 5 stars. Read it aloud with your child...share the beauty and the love.

Rating:
Summary: "Does it hurt to be real?"
Review: This is my all-time favorite children's book! The story opens on Christmas morning, as a little boy receives a stuffed rabbit and plays with it - for a few minutes. Gradually, the boy does come to love the rabbit, whose innocent little heart almost bursts with joy, because he knows that being loved is how toys become "real." The boy and rabbit are fast friends, until one day the boy becomes very sick...

This story is so timeless and honest in its emotion, you will not be able to read it without shedding tears. The little bunny's desire to be real, and how that wish comes true, make for a classic story that I enjoy reading again and again. It deserves more than 5 stars. Read it aloud with your child!


Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Children's Books ever
Review: This was my favorite book growing up, and started a love of reading that I have to this day. The message it gives is timeless -- magic can happen if you are steadfast and believe.

I recommend this for all children, and for anyone who needs to be reminded of the power of love.

Rating:
Summary: Classic, sweet and a must for children of all ages
Review: This was my mother's favorite story, so she read it to me as a child and I really never appreciated it as much as when I was older and read it to my children... maybe that's the way it's supposed to go? My son used to grab this book from his shelf a lot for me to read to him - and it was just to see mommy cry (I always cry when I read this book), he knew the book by heart and coached me when my throat was too tight to speak through the 'emotional' parts. He surprised me last year in 1st grade when he took the book into class to read to his classmates (I didn't know he took it). His teacher called me up telling me how much of a good reader he is... and that he cried when he read the book to his classmates... wow. Books seldom leave a mark, but this one sure does... sorta like a legacy. This book makes me 'real'.