The Velveteen Rabbit: Classic and Audio Editions
Ranked #399 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #18,154 overall
The Velveteen Rabbit: Love Makes You Real
The Velveteen Rabbit is the story of a toy bunny that's rewarded for his faithfulness, for loving and being loved -- but only after his fur has been worn off and he's become contaminated with scarlet fever germs. Once he was real to his child companion -- now he will be real to everybody. Many of us grew up with the story of The Velveteen Rabbit. Do we ever really outgrow it? I think it's a parable for the idealist in each of us. Indeed, I recently encountered The Velveteen Principles, a book of life lessons for grownups.
In addition to its 'big ideas', The Velveteen Rabbit has some mature humor. Now here's another great thing about this classic tale. It's public domain! That means we can all put our own spin on it -- and many of us already have.
I enjoyed recording this tale, and I hope you -- or someone small you're fond of -- enjoys listening. In this lenses, I've included my own audio reading of The Velveteen Rabbit, as well as some other themed goodies: videos to watch, books to buy, lesson plans for teachers, and thoughts to reflect on. (Yes, people have written some provocative blog posts about their memories of this rabbit's tale...)
In addition to its 'big ideas', The Velveteen Rabbit has some mature humor. Now here's another great thing about this classic tale. It's public domain! That means we can all put our own spin on it -- and many of us already have.
I enjoyed recording this tale, and I hope you -- or someone small you're fond of -- enjoys listening. In this lenses, I've included my own audio reading of The Velveteen Rabbit, as well as some other themed goodies: videos to watch, books to buy, lesson plans for teachers, and thoughts to reflect on. (Yes, people have written some provocative blog posts about their memories of this rabbit's tale...)
Contents at a Glance
- The Velveteen Rabbit Audio
- The Velveteen Rabbit: Adapted for Stage
- The Velveteen Rabbit: Musical Version
- The Velveteen Rabbit Discussion: Metapho...
- Velveteen Rabbit Love Quote
- The Velveteen Rabbit Wedding Reading
- The Velveteen Rabbit Interactive App
- The Velveteen Rabbit Lesson Plans
- Velveteen Rabbit Toy
The Velveteen Rabbit Audio
Listen to MP3 of The Velveteen Rabbit
Interested in reading the text yourself? To read The Project Gutenberg e-book, click the link.
If you want the hardcover edition -- or a DVD or bilingual version -- there are some Amazon links a bit later in the lens. But first, let's watch a play...
The Velveteen Rabbit: Adapted for Stage
A Charming Play
The Velveteen Rabbit has been adapted for stage more than once, and some versions take more liberties than others. In this stage version of The Velveteen Rabbit, Nana is the young boy's grandmother. You will find some added scenes, like one in which the young boy is scolded for making a mess when he should be in bed... until Nana realizes he has been making a Valentine.
You can catch some key scenes from the play version here. Scene 6 is really a series of scenes. The boy -- called James here -- develops his friendship with the velveteen rabbit across the spring and summer and eventually tells his Nana with some indignation that its not a toy, it's real. Compare and contrast... or inspire a young actor of your own.
You can catch some key scenes from the play version here. Scene 6 is really a series of scenes. The boy -- called James here -- develops his friendship with the velveteen rabbit across the spring and summer and eventually tells his Nana with some indignation that its not a toy, it's real. Compare and contrast... or inspire a young actor of your own.
curated content from YouTube
The Velveteen Rabbit: Musical Version
Watch the closing scenes of the musical edition, played by children. This version is true to the original -- but for the singing rabbit and fairy. You will recognize some of the more famous lines from the book -- like when the rabbit asks, but wasn't he real before. You can also see how the costume designer has created a design that will go from "toy" -- just little humps to suggest legs -- to "real rabbit" with dancing, prancing legs.
curated content from YouTube
The Velveteen Rabbit Discussion: Metaphor
Explore an Evocative Passage
The Velveteen Rabbit has extended metaphors on human behavior. Consider this quote:
"The mechanical toys were very poor, and looked down upon everyone else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real. The model boat, who had lived through two seasons and lost most of his paint, caught the tone from them and never missed an opportunity of referring to his rigging in technical terms."
Children can discuss this passage and then write about it in a journal. Guiding questions: Are those toys bragging? What are they bragging about? Is what they are bragging about... real?
"The mechanical toys were very poor, and looked down upon everyone else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real. The model boat, who had lived through two seasons and lost most of his paint, caught the tone from them and never missed an opportunity of referring to his rigging in technical terms."
Children can discuss this passage and then write about it in a journal. Guiding questions: Are those toys bragging? What are they bragging about? Is what they are bragging about... real?
The Classic Story: Choose Your Edition
As a public domain work, The Velveteen Rabbit appears in many forms. You can find it with with its original illustrations. You can also buy it with full color illustrations and a deep crimson Christmas "Christmas Treasury" look. The text too, had different forms. You can find it in bilingual or Spanish-only versions. You can find it condensed. While most people would probably say that the original was the most charming, you'll have no trouble finding editions for young readers.
Velveteen Rabbit Love Quote
"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 Little Rabbit?
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real, you don't mind being hurt."
The Velveteen Rabbit Wedding Reading
I just found out recently that among the popular wedding readings is an excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit. It's the scene where the Skin Horse explains what 'real' is -- that seems fitting doesn't it? Real love is something one experiences after infatuation. It's no longer about "play" or doing what's fun -- and sometimes it brings pain, but you no longer mind.
You can find a portion of the reading above. I included a link to a longer passage below.
You can find a portion of the reading above. I included a link to a longer passage below.
- The Velveteen Rabbit Wedding Reading
- This version of the wedding reading is found on About.com.
The Velveteen Rabbit Interactive App
Interactive storybooks and apps allow children to listen and read along -- or read alone when they're ready. Often they use abridged or slightly simplified versions of the text. Here are Velveteen Rabbit apps for two platforms (Android and Apple).
- The Velveteen Rabbit for Android
- Available for $.99. Compatible with phone or tablet.
- The Velveteen rabbit for iPad.
- Animated novella available for 1.99 through the Apple Store.
"Wasn't I Real before?" asked the little Rabbit.
"You were Real to the Boy," the Fairy said, "because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to everyone."
The Velveteen Rabbit Lesson Plans
Vocabulary, writing, critical literacy
- Easy Fun School
- Activities, questions, and vocabulary words
- Crayola
- This art activity focuses on how the rabbit changes over time.
- BookRags: Margery Williams
- This is a fairly comprehensive biography of the book's author
- Study guide
- The Velveteen Rabbit study guide and analysis -- on Scribd. This fairly resource is designed for students who will be viewing a theater presentation.
- Goodreads
- Here are some of the most famous quotes from The Velveteen Rabbit. Use them to spark discussion or writing.
- Velveteen Rabbit mini-unit
- Includes a writing extension: write about a favorite stuffed animal.
- Kid Lit
- Here are ten comprehension questions for The Velveteen Rabbit. They are written at the level of basic recall.
Velveteen Rabbit Toy
Today's toy bunnies are more realistic looking than those of 1922 -- ah, but are they more real? A number of toy makers have sought to recreate -- or suggest -- the velveteen rabbit of yore. This one is perhaps my favorite. You will find four reviews for this toy on Amazon: one by the parent of a two-year-old, one by the parent of a six-year-old... and one by a husband. Who was it who cried upon receipt of the bunny? Not surprisingly, it was the adult woman.
The Velveteen Rabbit 10" Soft Toy
Amazon Price: $22.50 (as of 02/17/2012)
Like the "real" velveteen rabbit, he has pink satin ears, brown and white spots, and (it appears) thread whiskers.
For Grownups: The Velveteen Principles
A Guide to Becoming Real
The best loved passages from The Velveteen Rabbit are about becoming Real: We learn that this Real -- which Williams capitalizes -- has to do with Love, and is painful, but well worth it. This modern book draws its inspiration from The Velveteen Rabbit's lessons about Real.
Velveteen Rabbit Memories...
Generations of children have loved this story. A few sensitive children, though, have been so upset by the progression of events that they apparently never made it through to the happy -- and meaningful -- conclusion.Here is an interesting blog commentary on The Velveteen Rabbit and the nature of memory.
The Velveteen Rabbit is a story for discussion as well as reading. So share this beautiful story... and make sure your little one knows it has a happy ending.
A New Twist on a Classic Story
Video
Movie makers often take some liberties. This 2009 Christmas movie is only loosely based on the old tale. In this version, a little boy goes to stay with his grandmother and discovers a velveteen rabbit that his now deceased grandmother had bought for him, but never given. There are numerous plot differences, but it's still a warm-hearted family-friendly movie. Compare and contrast -- or just enjoy a cozy evening watching.
Know Any Good Velveteen Rabbit Patterns?
- AllCrafts Forum
- This thread has been open a long time... and they're still looking!
Donated Stuffed Animals to Children's Emergency Funds
For stuffed animals that aren't yet ready for the Blue Fairy
- The Party Animal Blog: Donating Gently Used Stuffed Animals
- This blog entry contains a lot of links to emergency funds/ organizations that need stuffed animals.
Tote Bag: What is Real?
More About the Author
Margery Williams found inspiration for the well-loved story in her own life.
Christmas Audio Recordings
Did some more reading...
Your Own Memories of The Velveteen Rabbit?
Did you read the story as a child? Have your perceptions changed along the way?
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blackspanielgallery
Nov 8, 2011 @ 8:36 pm | delete
- Good one
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Titia
Nov 6, 2011 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- Being a Dutchie I've never heard about this book, but seeing your intro picture, I think I would have really loved it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Mujjen
Nov 2, 2011 @ 5:11 pm | delete
- I listened to your recording of the Velveteen Rabbit. It was really nice, like when my mother used to read stories to me!
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emmalarkins
Oct 31, 2011 @ 2:26 pm | delete
- :sniff: this story makes me so sad!
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wheretobuywebkinz Sep 20, 2011 @ 3:59 pm | delete
- The Velveteen Rabbit is such a classic story. Great lens.
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Credits
The picture in the second module links to Alyssa's photostream on Flickr. I doctored that same photo up a bit and used it in the opening module. She has some more rabbit-coming-to-life pictures in her photo stream, but I couldn't use them. The story she has to tell is just too sad. Yes, The Velveteen Rabbit is an evocative story for adults, as well.
More Audio Recordings...
Other Lenses With a Bit of Audio
Would Your Child Like to Record Her Own Audio?
by KarenTBTEN
KarenTBTEN
One of my favorite children's stories is The Velveteen Rabbit. I'm a teacher and a writer who loves audio stories. One of my passions is stringing w... more »
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Velveteen Rabbit Play Set
School Specialty Velveteen Rabbit Characters - Set of 4
Amazon Price: $12.45 (as of 02/17/2012)
Re-enact the scene where the fairy makes the velveteen rabbit real.
A Bunny For Your Little One
Bunnies by the Bay Rutabaga Bunny
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 02/17/2012)
Dollhouse Edition
of the Velveteen Rabbit
![[DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE] The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IM9i5P2OL._SL160_.jpg)
[DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE] The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams
Amazon Price: (as of 02/17/2012)
You can't read this one... but isn't it cute?
