An excellent metaphor for both spring and Easter, this lovely tale of transformation and rebirth is told in a gentle, poetic language. Based on Margery Williams's award-winning storybook of the same name, this collaborativ... more »e recording is pleasantly soothing. George Winston's tinkly, twinkly piano conjures up enchanted seasons, beginning with the opening Christmas scene. Here, the Boy receives the Velveteen Rabbit as a gift. The Rabbit, narrated by Meryl Streep in a thick, cottony, cozy British accent, is just as he should be: "fat and bunchy" with a velveteen spotted coat and ears "lined with pink satin." As the story unfolds, the Rabbit is educated in the nursery by the Skin Horse on how a plaything "becomes real" through being thoroughly loved by a child. Seasons go by, and inevitably the Boy abandons the Rabbit, though not before the Rabbit "becomes real," at which point the nursery magic Fairy ushers him into a new world. --Paige La Grone« less
An excellent metaphor for both spring and Easter, this lovely tale of transformation and rebirth is told in a gentle, poetic language. Based on Margery Williams's award-winning storybook of the same name, this collaborative recording is pleasantly soothing. George Winston's tinkly, twinkly piano conjures up enchanted seasons, beginning with the opening Christmas scene. Here, the Boy receives the Velveteen Rabbit as a gift. The Rabbit, narrated by Meryl Streep in a thick, cottony, cozy British accent, is just as he should be: "fat and bunchy" with a velveteen spotted coat and ears "lined with pink satin." As the story unfolds, the Rabbit is educated in the nursery by the Skin Horse on how a plaything "becomes real" through being thoroughly loved by a child. Seasons go by, and inevitably the Boy abandons the Rabbit, though not before the Rabbit "becomes real," at which point the nursery magic Fairy ushers him into a new world. --Paige La Grone
"The Velveteen Rabbit was introduced to me at a wedding -- the emphasis being on love that makes you "real" in a way that can never be changed despite the twists and turns of life. I read it to my grandchildren -- one who wanted it every single night of his week or two-week visit -- and I looked up on more than one occasion to find my husband sitting quietly in a chair, his ears, and obviously, his heart, tuned in to the increasingly familiar words. I began giving the book as shower gifts, wedding presents, anniversaries and the like. And then the CD came out. I grabbed it.The grandchildren are grown now and off making their way in the world. But, I reclaim the closeness and joy of their presence all the more by sitting down with a cup of tea and being "lullaby-ed" by Meryl Streep and George Winston. It is a reminder of how I became "real" to them in a way that never dulls. This CD causes my heart to "spill over" anew every time I listen to it."
Great for all ages!
Karl Fandrich | Waterville, VT | 02/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was introduced to this recording by one of my piano teachers. The marriage of music and story on this recording works perfectly!! This recording is not just for kids, it's for grownups too! Highly recommended!!"
A truly touching story, Meryl Streep is captivating.
Michael Skocir | USA | 12/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No other person in this world could tell the story of the Velveteen Rabbit better than Meryl Streep. When I was little, I'd listen to this every night at bedtime, I did for years. One day, the cassette tape it was on broke. That was in about 1989, it wasn't until now that I found it again. Listening to it on here made me feel so relaxed, subdued, and just made me feel good. And this was on 30 second clips that Realplayer provided! The piano is beautiful. I highly recommend this story for everyone. Look at me, I'm a 17 year old high school male."