The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit is a children's book by Margery Williams with illustrations by William Nicholson, first published in the pages of Harper's Bazaar in 1921. It tells the story of a toy rabbit who wishes the love of its owner would bring it to life.
In the early 1970s, The Velveteen Rabbit was one of several stories Jim Henson considered adapting in a future installment of the Tales from Muppetland series.Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones (page 188) Henson met with Raymond Wagner at MGM Studios in the spring of 1972 about developing the projectJim Henson's Red Book - The Velveteen Rabbit and Henson continued to pitch the project as a potential Muppet film over the next few years.Jim Henson's Red Book - 10/1/1973 – ‘Lunch Alan and Keith – firm them.’
In interviews promoting The Christmas Toy, Henson said he was inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit and The Nutcracker when creating a group of toys that come to life.Jim Henson's Red Book - 10/6/1986 “VTR The Christmas Toy in Toronto”
==References==
* The book is included among Slimey's library in the October 1985 issue of Sesame Street Magazine.
* Various adaptations of the story were reviewed by the Muppets in the pages of Muppet Magazine including the Spring 1983, Spring 1985, and Fall 1985 issues.
* Telly lets Ruthie play with his doll Freddy in Episode 3223 of Sesame Street, and Ruthie comments she hasn't talked to a stuffed animal since Velveteen Rabbit had stopped by Finders Keepers.
==Connections==
* Michael Adams illustrated a 1996 version of the book
* Marie Osmond played the Velveteen Rabbit and the Fairy for Enchanted Musical Playhouse in 1984
* Elizabeth Miles illustrated a 1990 version of the book
* Jane Seymour played Mom in the 2009 film version
* Meryl Streep narrated a version for Random House Video in 1985
* Eric Suben wrote a "Read to Me" book adaptation in 1996
* Richard M. Sherman co-wrote the songs for the 1984 Enchanted Musical Playhouse version
* Tom Trbovich directed the 1984 Enchanted Musical Playhouse version
==Sources==
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Category:Literary References