Product Details

• Actors: Meryl Streep
• Directors: Mark Sottnick
• Writers: Mark Sottnick, Margery Williams
• Producers: Mark Sottnick, Clay V. Stites, Joel Tuber
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Random House Video
• VHS Release Date: October 12, 1985
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (225 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302275792
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,142 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Meryl Streep reads Margery Williams's gentle story of a stuffed bunny who becomes real through the love of a child in this 25-minute video version of the classic 1922 tale. A Christmas gift that is ignored, then beloved, and then abandoned, the rabbit with the pink sateen ears comes to love the boy who takes him everywhere and through that love finds literal rebirth. Academy Award-winning actress Streep doesn't disappoint as she liltingly brings the toy rabbit to life--with the help of the nursery magic fairy. Streep's reading is complemented by George Winston's music and soft illustrations by David Jorgenson, who also illustrates a book and audio cassette version. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Product Description

Nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

Like the Skin Horse, Margery Williams understood how toys--and people--become real through the wisdom and experience of love. This reissue of a favorite classic, with the original story and illustrations as they first appeared in 1922, will work its magic for all who read it.


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE CLASSIC FILLED WITH A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE, June 5, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Velveteen Rabbit (Hardcover)

I seldom write reviews on children's books, although I love them with a passion. My children are now mothers and my grandchildren are past young childhood. However, I believe that somewhere deep inside each of us remains a small child that still loves fairy tales, cotton candy, and walking barefoot in the grass. This book was one of my children's favourites, along with "Charlotte's Web;" both were also my own personal favourites. When my children were six years old reading this book became a nighly adventure until I knew the words by heart. For the reviewer who rated the book with a one star due to a spelling error, my heart goes out to you; you have sadly missed something very important - the message. The book is not about spelling, editing or lack thereof; it is about encouragement and love.

The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit who wishes with all his heart to become real. The message contained in this book is poignant, heart-warming and touching, and one that you will never foreget as long as you live. It is a story of beauty, wonder and love. Any child who misses out on "The Velveteen Rabbit" is missing out on one of life's greatest lessons. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful, wonderful book and highly recommend it to children...and the grown-up child in all of us.

88 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I still love this book...I always will, October 24, 2000

By 

Robert Knetsch "Wanna-be theologian" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Velveteen Rabbit (Hardcover)

These are the days of Sony Playstation 2 and Harry Potter, activites that do not really ever try to tell a great story that also gives a lesson without being preachy.

The Velveteen Rabbit is heartwrenchingly beautiful. The Rabbit who yearns to be Real and whose love for the boy was unconditional is both imaginative and sad. I cannot read this book without a lump coming to my throat and being transported to simpler days when the love of a toy was the greatest thing in the whole world.

This is a book with an ending that is mixed, that touches on the ambiguity of life and loss. But there is also hope of a new beginning. And I think children can understand that and grow from it.

I cherish this book deeply.

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story for children, but appeals to adults, April 8, 2009

By 

Mondo Dave (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Velveteen Rabbit (Kindle Edition)

The prose is engaging and entertaining. It is the best kind of children's story -- appealing to adults. There are no pictures in this edition, but the text stands up very well on its own, and if you have not read it, it is well worth the time--such a quick and pleasant read.