The Velveteen Rabbit

First published in 1922, this children's story is set in a nursery where a stuffed velveteen rabbit arrives as a Christmas toy. The wise Skin Horse tells him that toys become Real through a child's love, which takes a long time and can hurt. The Boy eventually makes the rabbit his constant companion, taking him into the garden and to sleep. Illness in the house brings a doctor's order that the infected playthings be destroyed. A nursery fairy then meets the rabbit at the edge of that fate. The book is a short fable of love and making-real, not a naturalistic animal tale.

Bound in image blocked grey-green cloth. Blue gilt pattern blocked slipcase.