annagracebutler 's review for:

5.0

This is one of my favorite books of all time! A true classic that will never be forgotten. Real is something that happens to you bit by bit. It hurts and it takes a long time. But despite the effects of the journey, you can’t be ugly, except to those who don’t understand. This is such beautiful a metaphor for life, and everything that we go through along the way. Our stories make us. Just because they may be difficult, they are what make us beautiful, and those who understand can see that. I love this story! I just gave it to my friend for her baby shower and hope that her family loves it as much as I do.

“‘Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'

'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.

'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'

'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?'

'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get 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, except to people who don't understand.”