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, SECAM, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Random House Video
• VHS Release Date: October 12, 1985
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302275792
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,960 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (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.

72 of 78 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.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's favorite book!, June 18, 2000

By	Rosemary Thornton "The Ugly Woman's Guide to ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Classic Tale of Velveteen Rabbit Or, How Toys Become Real (Hardcover)

Daughter Anna (now 19 years old) loved this book. It was her favorite above all others. As we sorted through some old kid things for give-away purposes, we stumbled upon this old, well worn copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit." She insisted we keep the book for HER children.

This was her book that Mama (me!) had to read to her again and again and again. As soon as the last word was read on the last page, it was "Mama, please read it again!"

(how I miss those days, by the way!)

The book also has a powerful message about Love that children understand and cherish.

This is a wonderful book. No child should be without their own copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit."