The Velveteen Rabbit

Description

When the Velveteen Rabbit first arrives in the nursery, he is snubbed by the other toys. But the Rabbit soon makes friends with the Skin Horse who explains how toys can become 'real', if only they are loved enough. The Velveteen Rabbit longs for this to happen until, one day, he finds that he is Boy's very favourite toy. They play together through a long, golden summer and, even though Rabbit becomes shabbier and shabbier, he becomes 'real' to the boy who loves him so much. The rabbits in the garden think otherwise - how can Rabbit be real when he can't leap and hop? But when Boy is ill with Scarlet Fever, and Rabbit is thrown away, Rabbit finally discovers what it truly means to be real. As he sheds a tear a magical fairy transforms him into a real, wild rabbit, though her parting words remind him that he was always real to the boy.

Margery Winifred Williams was born in London in 1881. During her lifetime she lived in England, America and Italy and wrote numerous books for adults and children. Her most famous book, The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real, was published in 1922. Sarah's mum always said it was a blessing how paper and a pencil could keep her quiet and out of mischief for hours. Drawing has been a life-long habit that has seen her through careers in corporate design, children's book design and now as an illustrator and illustrating is what she loves doing best. Sarah lives in Sussex with her husband Peter, her young son Mathew, and her utterly mad terrier Tess, who keeps guard as she draws.