The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

This book is like The Velveteen Rabbit on steroids. It's very good, very sweet and very emotional. I think it's essentially too advanced for a read-aloud to a five-year-old, but Charlie was drawn to the cover, begged for the book at the bookstore, and I gave in, not really knowing what it was about. It is all about Edward's learning to love and appreciate everyone who loves him (Edward is a unique and beautiful toy rabbit) over the years. Though Charlie really seemed to like it and wanted to know what was happening next, he did keep asking me why I was crying, and the flux of characters in and out of the book may have been hard for him to follow. His favorite character was the hobo, and really, he (“Bull”) was the best character in the book. Charlie also thought it was very cool that Bull called Edward “Malone” and he said he would like to be named “Malone.”

Ohhhh this book makes me CRY. God, it's amazing. Read it as a kid and even now I'm filled with such emotion. It's the story of a China Rabbit named Edward who is spoiled rotten, and he knows it. He's arrogant and uppity (though, of course, he can't speak or move, he just thinks). But after getting tossed off a cruise ship in an accident, he goes through so much - from family to family, learning about humans and the difference in their lives. He feels emotion and he loves and he mourns. And it all comes full circle. God this is one of the best children's books in the world.

And that last scene in the shop.... oh god, I'm a mess.