Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit
by Molly Golden; illus. by Paola Escobar
Primary    Clarion/HarperCollins    48 pp.
1/25    9780358681540    $19.99

This tribute to The Velveteen Rabbit and the life of its author, Margery Williams (1881–1944), celebrates the benefits of dramatic play while exploring the intriguing connection between reality and imagination. Beginning with Williams’s childhood, which was full of art, story, and creativity, the book shows how her imagination provided comfort during times of painful loss and disruptive change, including the premature death of her father and the upheaval of World War I. The soft-hued digital art is full of charming details, with ethereal linework and elements of collage that characterize Williams’s playful spirit while showcasing her paper toy creations. Quotes from The Velveteen Rabbit punctuate poignant moments and form connections between Williams’s life and her famous story. Emphasizing how she channeled her imagination to bring her work to life, the book posits the central question from The Velveteen Rabbit of what it means to be “real.” Back matter includes an author’s note with more details about Williams, a bibliography, and a thorough list of “Social Emotional Activities to Share with Your Toy.” A warm and gentle look at a creator’s life that provides an engaging extension for fans of The Velveteen Rabbit or for those preparing to experience it for the first time.

From the March/April 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.