The Velveteen Rabbit/ by Margery Williams Bianco
The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams Bianco in 1922. The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit, who is given on charismas day to a little boy. At first he is an object of curiosity, but is quickly ignored when the other more expensive toys discover he is made of more inferior material. He is put in the nursery cabinet, where he is mocked by the other toys. He is lonely and insecure, until the oldest toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, gives him hope and tells him toys can be made "real" through the love of a human.
The story belongs to the Toy genre, and is suited for children from 4th to 8th grade. It resembles the movie ‘Toy Story‘, in that it is constructed in a world where toys come to life when you are not looking. Reading it for the first time as an adult brought back memories of cherished childhood toys, which I loved as if they were real. The love of a toy can be the greatest in the whole world for children, which makes the story relatable to all young children, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Furthermore, although it is simple and easy to read, this poignant story is full of symbolism, centering on the themes of love, death, and rebirth. These themes appeal to the adult heart …show more content…
Apparently the author lost her father when she was only seven years old, and the loss had a lasting impact on her life and work. Yet, issues as neglect and loss that may need explaining for children, is dealt with in a way that is gentle enough for young viewers, through the journey of the Rabbit. The Velveteen Rabbit becomes shabby and dirty from playing and gestures of affection inflicted on him by the boy, but he learns to appreciate that becoming real involves getting hurt. Becoming real doesn't happen to people who "break easily, or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully
The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams Bianco in 1922. The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit, who is given on charismas day to a little boy. At first he is an object of curiosity, but is quickly ignored when the other more expensive toys discover he is made of more inferior material. He is put in the nursery cabinet, where he is mocked by the other toys. He is lonely and insecure, until the oldest toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, gives him hope and tells him toys can be made "real" through the love of a human.
The story belongs to the Toy genre, and is suited for children from 4th to 8th grade. It resembles the movie ‘Toy Story‘, in that it is constructed in a world where toys come to life when you are not looking. Reading it for the first time as an adult brought back memories of cherished childhood toys, which I loved as if they were real. The love of a toy can be the greatest in the whole world for children, which makes the story relatable to all young children, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Furthermore, although it is simple and easy to read, this poignant story is full of symbolism, centering on the themes of love, death, and rebirth. These themes appeal to the adult heart …show more content…
Apparently the author lost her father when she was only seven years old, and the loss had a lasting impact on her life and work. Yet, issues as neglect and loss that may need explaining for children, is dealt with in a way that is gentle enough for young viewers, through the journey of the Rabbit. The Velveteen Rabbit becomes shabby and dirty from playing and gestures of affection inflicted on him by the boy, but he learns to appreciate that becoming real involves getting hurt. Becoming real doesn't happen to people who "break easily, or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully