Review: The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic that has stood the test of time. First published in 1922, this timeless story still captivates stories and hearts across the world with the stunning story of a toy rabbit.

This is actually the first time I have read this classic book and I was really excited to do so. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I absolutely adored it. It’s truly beautiful and pulls at the heart strings from the start to finish, I genuinely may have teared up more than once.

The story begins when a boy gets a toy rabbit for Christmas, but when he opens other, more exciting toys, the rabbit is quickly forgotten about. The rabbit becomes sad and lonely and the other toys make fun of it. But the rabbit manages to become friends with a wise rocking horse, who describes what it means to be ‘Real’. This famous, very quotable, conversation between the bunny and the rocking horse is part of the reason the book has remained popular for over one hundred years.

‘It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often 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.‘

Eventually the boy finds the Velveteen Rabbit again and they become very good friends, and the rabbit learns what it is to become real. But the boy becomes ill with Scarlet Fever and the doctor orders that all his sheets and toys be thrown out and burnt to disinfect the nursery. The Velveteen Rabbit has a close call, but before he is thrown on the fire, he cries a real tear, which brings out a magic fairy, who comes to his aid.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a timeless story about what’s important in life, with hints of magic. It’s about growing up and finding out who you are, and remaining authentic to yourself. It is about what is important in life. I understand how this story has lasted the test of time and why it remains such a popular story. It is really quite long and takes a little to get through, but it is worth every word. I adore this book and will be reading it many times and am glad I get to share it with my son.

The illustrations by Helene Magisson are gorgeous and magical. The subdued colour palette matches the story perfectly and feel as timeless as the Velveteen Bunny himself.