The Velveteen Rabbit
by Margery Williams
A toy rabbit learns from the Skin Horse that you become Real by being loved for a long time, even though it hurts and your fur gets rubbed off. The 1922 children's book is quoted at weddings and funerals for a reason: it is the best short statement of what love costs and gives.
Read it if…
you want one page that says what being loved does to a person.
Skip it if…
you are looking for a business book; wrong shelf, though it would not hurt you.
Three things you will actually use
- Real is what happens when you are loved a long time.
- It hurts, and it is worth it.
- Once you are Real you cannot become unreal again.
Do this first
Read the Skin Horse's speech twice.
Our verdict
What love costs and gives.
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