Review: The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco was first published in 1922. I can remember reading The Velveteen Rabbit for the first time (quite some time after it was first published, I should probably point out!). It is a beautiful story about the power of love, the need to belong and the affection children bestow upon their favourite toys.

This classic story about a toy that becomes real through the love of the child he belongs to has recently been republished by New Frontier Publishing with gorgeous illustrations by Helene Magisson, a French-Australian illustrator. Helene was awarded first prize in the 2013 CYA Conference illustration category and The Velveteen Rabbit is her first published book.

The illustrations are beautiful, completed in muted hues that are well suited the tone of the story. The story itself is long for a picture book format, but the full page colour illustrations often spill across the double page spread, breaking up the text nicely and offering plenty of opportunity for children to focus on the visual story while parents read.

This edition of The Velveteen Rabbit is sure to connect this classic tale with a new generation. Beautiful illustrations and a meaningful story are sure to make this a book that will be treasured.

There are teachers' notes available for this book.

Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Margery Williams Bianco
Illustrator: Helene Magisson
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing, $27.99 RRP
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925059304
For ages: 5 - 10
Type: Picture Book