"The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real" is a beloved British children's book penned by Margery Williams, also known as Margery Williams Bianco, with illustrations by William Nicholson. First appearing in Harper's Bazaar in 1921 with illustrations by Williams' daughter Pamela Bianco, it was published as a book in 1922 and has since seen numerous republications. The story delves into the profound desire of a stuffed rabbit to transcend its toy
status and become real through the transformative power of its owner's love.
The Journey to Becoming Real
The narrative begins when a stuffed rabbit, crafted from velveteen, is given as a Christmas gift to a young boy. In the nursery, the rabbit encounters the Skin Horse, the oldest and wisest toy, who once belonged to the boy's uncle. The Skin Horse imparts a crucial lesson about reality: "Real isn't how you are made... 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 concept deeply affects the velveteen rabbit, though he initially doubts his chances of achieving such a state, fearing the boy's preference for newer, more modern, and mechanical toys.
One evening, a simple act by the boy's nanny, who gives the rabbit to the boy to sleep with in place of a lost toy, marks a turning point. From that moment, the velveteen rabbit becomes the boy's favorite companion. As time passes, the boy's affection grows, and he begins to perceive the rabbit as truly real. Despite becoming older and shabbier from constant play, the rabbit remains content, finding joy in his bond with the boy.
Encounters with Reality and the Nursery Magic Fairy
During the summer, the velveteen rabbit has an encounter with real rabbits. However, they quickly discern that he is not one of them, noting his inability to hop as they do. This interaction highlights the difference between being real in the eyes of a child and being real in the natural world, adding a layer of complexity to the rabbit's journey.
Tragedy strikes when the boy falls ill with scarlet fever. Throughout his recovery, the velveteen rabbit stays by his side. Following the doctor's orders, the boy's room must be disinfected, and all his books and toys, including the cherished velveteen rabbit, are slated for burning to prevent the spread of the disease. The rabbit is placed in a sack and left in the garden overnight, where he sadly reflects on his life with the boy.
As the rabbit cries, a single real tear falls to the ground, and from that spot, a flower blossoms. A fairy emerges from the flower, introducing herself as the Nursery Magic Fairy. Her purpose is to comfort discarded children's toys and transform them into real beings. She explains that because the rabbit had become real to the boy through his genuine love, she would now take him away and "turn him Real" for everyone.
Transformation and Lasting Impact
The fairy transports the velveteen rabbit to the forest and, with a kiss, he undergoes a magical transformation, becoming a real rabbit. He then joins the other rabbits in the forest, fully integrated into the natural world. The following spring, the now-real rabbit returns to observe the boy, who, upon seeing him, muses that the rabbit in his garden bears a striking resemblance to his lost toy. This poignant ending underscores the enduring power of love and imagination, suggesting that true reality can be found in the deepest connections.
"The Velveteen Rabbit" has received significant recognition, including the IRA/CBC Children's Choice award. In a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association ranked it as the 28th on their list of "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children," cementing its status as a timeless classic in children's literature.
