Scholastic UK has announced the upcoming publication of a new illustrated edition of the much-loved children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit. The full-colour edition of the book will vividly bring to live Margery Williams’ 1992 work with fresh illustrations by renowned artist, David Litchfield, the author-illustrator behind the hit children’s book and winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize; The Bear and the Piano.
This beautiful picture book for young readers, tells the story of a stuffed rabbit toy who is soft and snuggly but longs to become real through the power of love. After his boy takes him to bed one night, the pair become inseparable, playing all night long. When the pair are sadly separated through illness, Rabbit is visited by a magic fairy who grants his heart’s wish, to be transformed into a real rabbit. Finally, he finds a new family but never forgets his special friend Boy, for whom The Velveteen Rabbit was always real.
The love for this timeless children’s book is immortalised in the sitcom Friends when Joey gifts a copy to his girlfriend, Kathy “because I know you like rabbits, and I know you like cheese,” yet it is Chandler who truly understands the childhood nostalgia behind the book.
The Velveteen Rabbit written by Margery Williams and illustrated by David Litchfield will be published by Scholastic UK on 12th February 2026, and is available to pre-order now.
