The Velveteen Rabbit

March 1, 1999
Hague's warm paintings give a soft sheen to Williams's classic story. Ages 5-10.

This classic story of a stuffed rabbit whose love for his boy helps him become real is always warm and comforting. This version, read by Meryl Streep, is a gem! Streep's impeccable diction enunciates each word, yet her tone is gentle, her pace slow and relaxing, her reading sensitive and full of emotion--from the confusion of the rabbit at the snobbery of the other toys, to the anguish he feels when he meets the live rabbits, to the joy he feels when he realizes he's truly a "real rabbit." Add to this perfect reading George Winston's soft and lovely musical accompaniment and you have a treasure that will be loved and enjoyed over and over again, like the velveteen rabbit himself. W.L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine