Would you rather cuddle with a brand new stuffed animal or a shabby one that's been broken in through years of hugging? In The Velveteen Rabbit, we learn that appearances aren't always what they seem. The Rabbit worries about how he appears to the other toys and the wild rabbits and even about losing his beauty to become Real.
Then he figures out that none of that matters as long as he's got the Boy by his side. In the end, it's not how a toy looks that determines its worth—it's how much it was loved. Preach.
Questions About Appearances
- Why do you think the Rabbit befriends the Skin Horse?
- Why do you think the Velveteen Rabbit wants to impress the wild rabbits so much the first time he meets them?
- The grown-ups get the Boy a new bunny and he seems satisfied with this. Do you think he was? Or do you think he missed his old Velveteen Rabbit?
Chew on This
The Rabbit is self-conscious about his appearance when it comes to characters other than the Boy, such as the other nursery toys or the wild rabbits.
The Skin Horse says becoming Real means losing some of your beauty but that you won't mind. This mirrors people in long-term relationships who grow old and age together.