Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-5
IRA/CBC Children's Choice award

I liked this book for a few reasons. For one, I liked the illustrations. I would describe them more as mature then childish even though this book is geared towards children as the audience. Although, I think by having the illustrations be more mature reflects the mood of the story. This leads me to another reason of why I liked this book; the plot. I think that the plot was creative and imaginative. I liked that there was a fairy who would take toys that children did not play with anymore and make them real. The big message of The Velveteen Rabbit is that friends have a big and lasting impact on one another. Towards the end of the story, the boy is separated from his toy rabbit. They are reunited after the toy rabbit becomes a real rabbit. The boy says to himself how the real rabbit looks like his old toy rabbit. The story ends by explaining that the boy “never knew that it really was his own Bunny, come back to look at the child who had first helped him to be Real.” ( )

A toy rabbit magically becomes real through the love of the boy who owns him. The rabbit is sweet and innocent and easily enjoyable for any young child, possibly making them more greatly appreciate their own toys. Having the toy come to life, both at the end of the story and characteristically throughout the book, encourages a child's imagine when it comes to their own toys. The illustrations are colorful and descriptive and add to the story. I would include this book in my collection. ( )