Margery Williams Bianco (1881-1944) was an English- American author, primarily of popular children"s books. A professional writer since the age of nineteen, she achieved lasting fame at forty-one with the 1922 publication of the classic that is her best-known work, The Velveteen Rabbit. It became an instant classic and has remained so through numerous adaptations in children"s theatre as well as on radio, television and in the movies. It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real through the love of his owner. The author"s trademark undercurrents of sentimentality and sadness persist in the tale. After becoming a renowned author, Bianco wrote numerous other children"s books, with her son becoming the namesake of one of them, 1925"s Poor Cecco. A return to more sober themes marks Bianco"s other popular works, such as the same year"s The Little Wooden Doll, illustrated by her daughter Pamela. 1926"s The Apple Tree and The Adventures of Andy, 1927"s The Skin...