Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit
Illustrated by Paola Escobar
I’m thrilled to share that Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit will be hopping onto store shelves in the winter of 2025. I can’t wait to share Margery William’s story with you.
Many of us may still have a special toy from childhood. Below is a picture of mine!
You can share your toy too by posting a picture of it with #myvelveteenrabbit . I’d love to see your special friend.
Did you know?
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The full title of The Velveteen Rabbit is The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real.
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Margery Williams Bianco wrote it over 100 years ago! It was first published in 1922.
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It wasn’t the only story she wrote about toys being real. Other books include Poor Cecco, The Little Wooden Doll, and The Skin Horse.
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When Margery was young, real mice lived in her doll house.
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When she was older, she carried a snake in per pocket.
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Margery was inspired to write The Velveteen Rabbit when she watched her children play with their toys and pets.
Writing Prompts:
Social emotional activities are included in the back of Becoming Real for children to enjoy with their own special toys. Below are accompanying writing prompts.
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Starting from the tip of their nose all the way down to the end of their toes, describe one of your favorite toys. What does it look like? Feel like? Provide as many details as you can.
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What do you think the skin horse means when he says, “Real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you.”
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Have you ever had a toy that seemed real? What made it real?
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Margery loved animals. What animal would you like to live with for a day?
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She also valued imagination. Use your imagination to write a story about a toy or object becoming “real” too.
