NURSERY MAGIC: THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Here’s how this week’s arts and culture column begins:

First published in 1922, Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit: How Toys Become Real is one of the most beloved children’s books of the 20th century. The story is also very much one of death and resurrection.

The book begins:

“There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws. The effect was charming.”

READ THE WHOLE PIECE HERE.


AND A NOTE FROM YOUR SPONSOR:

10 Replies to “NURSERY MAGIC: THE VELVETEEN RABBIT”

  1. Anonymous says: Reply

    Thanks for your thoughts. I don’t worry about my lackings because I know Jesus came into the world through a Virgin in a backwater village barn. So He will overcome our misfires. We just have to be open to HIM. Merry Christmas

    1. HEATHER KING says: Reply

      That’s the ticket! Blessings to you and Merry Merry Christmas.

  2. Thanks for sharing! It was a nice Christmas gift to watch your Merry Christmas , 2022!

    God give you his peace and joy !

    1. HEATHER KING says: Reply

      I got married on Nantucket Island, Kathy! Justice of the Peace, in a garden with flowering trees…May…the marriage didn’t last but what a beautiful place–grateful for every step of the journey. Merry Christmas to you and glad you got a kick out of the video!

    1. HEATHER KING says: Reply

      Merry Christmas, Elizabeth!

  3. Susan Manus says: Reply

    I love this story. When my niece was little, a few times she spent the night at my house and I read this to her at bedtime. I would always cry at the end. Always. My niece would fall asleep before I finished, but one time I told her that I always cried when I read this to her. She, being too young to understand, asked, “Why do you cry?” I told her sometimes grownups cry at beautiful stories. That night she asked me to read it to her and gleefully said, “I want to see you cry!” But as usual she fell asleep before the end.

    1. HEATHER KING says: Reply

      What a great story–“I want to see you cry!” Send her to me; I’m in tears half the time! Good to meet another Velveteen Rabbit fan. Merry Christmas, Susan…

  4. beautiful Christmas video and story. thank you! Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

    1. HEATHER KING says: Reply

      Thank you, dear Annette, and Happy New Year–glad you enjoyed!

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS!