How Is Pinocchio Like the Velveteen Rabbit?

Measles and Scarlet Fever

Rabbits. Fairies. Wheelbarrows. How Is Pinocchio Like the Velveteen Rabbit?

Do you remember when you first read The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real?

Pinocchio is about the power of dreams.

The Velveteen Rabbit is about the power of love.

When Did You First Read The Velveteen Rabbit?

My 1981 copy, bought when my younger son was 2, I am reading now to my grandchildren.

“Real isn’t how you’re made,” explained the Skin Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit.

“When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but REALLY love you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you geet loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly.”

Scarlet Fever

In 1922, scarlet fever, a potentially deadly variation of strep throat, a significant event in the story, was a real threat for children.

Husband and wife physician team Gladys (a survivor of scarlet fever herself) and George Dick developed a vaccine for scarlet fever in 1924, replaced by penicillin when it became available in the 1940s.

Scarlet fever, known since the 1500s, with epidemics in Germany and France, hit children, not adults and was often fatal for infants.

It first struck in the U.S. in California in 1849. Deaths from scarlet fever peaked in 1863. The U.S. conducted widespread inoculations once the Dick test and vaccine were available. Click here to read a 1928 history of scarlet fever.

Favorite Stuffed Toys

When I was little, I had a tiny, soft panda bear that was just right for little hands. Sadly, on a family trip, I left it behind under a bed.

I can still see it. Maybe it now lives in the Washington, DC zoo.

Sources of The Velveteen Rabbit

First published in 1922, a copy of Margery Williams’ entire text is available online. Click here to go to the University of Pennsylvania site for an online copy with the original, color illustrations.

You can read a synopsis of the book at Wikipedia if you click here.

You can buy the book on amazon if you click here.

You can buy a Kindle version if you click here.

If you would like to watch a movie of the story, starring Jane Seymour, you can buy it at amazon when you click here.

Did you ever have a favorite stuffed toy?

What happened to it?

How about your children? Your grandchildren?

On Thursdays, we describe classic children’s books and cancer survivor stories

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To you and reading treasured stories with your grandchildren.

Carol Covin, “Granny-Guru”

Author, “Who Gets to Name Grandma? The Wisdom of Mothers and Grandmothers”