Customer Reviews

The Velveteen Rabbit Gift Set: Hardcover book and plush package

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The rabbit, feeling a bit out of place and a bit unworthy, nonetheless yearned to be loved, not for what he could be or should have been, but rather for what he truly was. What child (or adult, for that matter) can't find meaning here? Children yearn for love and acceptance, and unfortunately we live in a world in which that acceptance and approval usually consists of things being bigger, stronger, better, prettier, faster, newer.

The rabbit is not the 'best' toy in the boy's collection; he's not the most expensive, the best constructed, or the most interesting. But as the wise old Skin Horse knows, it isn't in the flashy paint and moving parts that true love grows. True love makes one real, and it takes a special being and a deliberate process to become real. 'It doesn't happen 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.'

Being real can hurt, but the rabbit in the process of becoming real barely notices that his velveteen fur is rubbing off, his tail is coming undone, his pink nose is worn and his whiskers are gone. He knows he is loved, especially during the boy's serious illness (the story was written shortly after the great flu pandemic that claimed countless lives in the early part of the twentieth century, and other childhood illnesses were still commonplace killers even in the most technologically advanced countries, perhaps another aspect of how technology can fail to address the 'real').

The ending is poignant and significant - reality means something different for the rabbit than he anticipated, but it is a joyous happening nonetheless. The Skin Horse, the rabbit and the boy are all real, and serves as an extended parable on how right relationships can overcome much adversity.

This is one of my favourite stories of all time, and the drawings accompanying this edition are very apt and special.

Added to this edition is a foreword by Toni Raiten-D'Antonio, whose book 'The Velveteen Principles' explores the different ways in which the lessons of the book can enrich the lives of adults and children of all ages. A wonderful addition to a wonderful book.

I have read the book when I was kid (I'm 43 now) and seen it on stage a few years ago. When I saw that it was on sale with Amazon and with a stuffed animal I just had to get it. Reading it brought me back to when I was a kid. This is the closest thing to a time machine. Even holding the rabbit brings me back.

Plush is pretty small, don't expect a large stuffed animal. Very good quality,
I would recommend!

At the time of writing this, the description for The Velveteen Rabbit Gift Set: Hardcover book and plush package has Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 8.2 x 3.7 inches. So I figured the plush doll would be 17.2 inches tall from base to ear tip, about the size one would imagine it to be after reading the book, it's not, closer to 10 inches total. Besides that, it's a great book, one of my childhood favorites.

I have no problem with Amazon, they only sell what is produced.

However, over the years I have bought this item and given it to children so that they can enjoy the rabbit and be read to by their parents.

Well, my great niece who will be 5 yrs old in April told her Grandmother, my sister, that her rabbit, was begining to fall apart and her Mommie was going to put him away and she was very sad. When my sister told me the story I told her I would see if I could find a replacement. I immediately went on Amazon.com and found the rabbit and book, and in fact I purchased 3, to have on hand for other children.

My purchase arrived and I opened the box to find the 3 sets, and was very disappointed to find that the rabbit not only shrunk in size, but the quality also was not the same. My great niece will know the difference, other children will not, but I know and I am saddened to see this happen!

I know the book and am completely happy with the book, but was disappointed at the small size of the stuffed rabbit that came with the book. It appeared to be larger in the advertised picture, and was in fact only about 6 inches tall - rather small for a young child.

My daughter was expecting her first child, and she mentioned that the *one book* she hoped to find was The Velveteen Rabbit.
I was so happy to find this boxed set with not only the book, but the stuffed rabbit as well, to gift her for her baby shower.

I appreciated the fact that the packaging wasn't excessive, and I could open the box, remove the book to write inside the cover, then replace it as it were.

In my case, this was the pefect gift at the right price.

I searched all over for this item and finally found it here. It is exactly as described...a small plush rabbit with hardcover book...a perfect gift for a small child. It is a classic; every child should have this.

This set made a nice gift. Photo is deceiving, however; stuffed bunny is much smaller than you'd expect, and the book is smaller still.

It came in a cute red gift box set, but the book is small....as is the plush toy. Great deal for the price. But the book is mostly without illustrations, geared towards an older audience probably.