Classic rabbit hops out of the Christmas stocking in an emotional story

Margery Williams' 1922 classic "The Velveteen Rabbit" is a poignant tale of a toy's journey from forgotten to cherished, and potentially lost. The story, newly translated by Gunnar Nirstedt and featuring original illustrations by William Nicholson, begins with a boy finding the velveteen rabbit in his Christmas stocking alongside other treats. He plays with the rabbit for hours before other interests take over, a common fate for toys then and now.

The narrative delves into the inevitable decline of a toy's novelty. The book explores the rabbit's feelings of inadequacy, particularly when encountering real rabbits who mock his lack of hind legs. A somber turn occurs when the boy falls ill with scarlet fever, and the rabbit faces the prospect of being burned with other discarded toys. Despite the sorrowful themes, a glimmer of hope emerges.

Williams, born in England in 1881, lived in the US as a child and later married an Italian bookseller. She wrote "The Velveteen Rabbit" in New York after spending time in Europe. The book's publication shortly after World War I, a period of significant loss for many children, may have resonated deeply with contemporary readers. The idea of a lost toy reappearing holds a magical appeal, fulfilling a child's wishful thinking.

The story joins a tradition of anthropomorphic animal characters in children's literature, following Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit" (1902) and Margret Rey's "Curious George" (1945). These characters, including the Velveteen Rabbit, often embody a timeless vulnerability, a longing, and a sense of being an underdog, resonating with young readers.