Book Cover Photo Source: Wikipedia page, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuffle_Bunny, accessed September 13, 2008.Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A Cautionary Tale. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786855932.
Plot Summary
In this book, Mo Willems tells a familiar story of a child losing a cherished toy. A father and daughter go to the Laundromat to do the wash and unbeknownst to the child, her “Knuffle Bunny” gets mixed in with the clothes and thus, accidentally left behind. As they walk back home, Trixie realizes that Knuffle Bunny is no longer with her. She tries to tell her daddy what is wrong, but since she cannot yet talk he doesn’t understand her. In an effort to get her point across, she cries, bawls and eventually collapses into a boneless heap. It is not until they arrive home and her mommy asks, “Where’s Knuffle Bunny?” does her daddy realize what has been wrong with Trixie on the way home. The whole family runs back to the Laundromat and after much searching finally find Trixie’s Knuffle Bunny. As the daddy is pulling the stuffed toy from the dryer, Trixie shouts her first words; “Knuffle Bunny”!
Critical Analysis
Willem’s simple text is wonderful for young children. The story is simple and something that they can easily identify with. Adults who read this story to their children or students will be able to discuss with them something that they have lost and how it made them feel. This will allow for great interaction between reader and listener.
The illustrations in this book complement the text perfectly. The photographs in the background are easily recognizable by the youngest of readers and are done in muted black and white and sepia tones. The cartoon illustrations that make up the family are done with simple lines and bright colors. Even as Trixie and her dad walk out of the Laundromat, Knuffle Bunny is easily found in the washing machines window. The facial expressions and mannerisms of the characters in the book will allow children to identify with the emotions being felt as each page is turned.
This is a great book to share with young readers. The simple text is easy enough for beginning readers and children everywhere will be able to identify with the characters within these pages.
Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “This amusing, universal tale is cleverly illustrated with hand-drawn cartoons juxtaposed onto digital photographs that reflect a well-traveled and familiar city neighborhood route.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Even children who can already talk a blue streak will come away satisfied that their own strong emotions have been mirrored and legitimized, and readers of all ages will recognize the agonizing frustration of a little girl who knows far more than she can articulate.”
HORNBOOK: “This everyday drama will immediately register with even pre-verbal listeners.”
Connections
This is a great story to use when talking about emotions. The characters in the book go through a range of emotions including happy, sad, excited, mad, frustrated, worried, relief and many others. This would be a great way to discuss these with young children and have them match the emotion to the page where it is occurring.
Other books written and illustrated by Mo Williams include:
Knuffle Bunny Too ISBN 1423102991
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ISBN 0786819881
Leonardo, the Terrible Monster ISBN 0786852941
Edwina, the Dinosaur who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct ISBN 0786837489
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! ISBN 0786818697
The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! ISBN 0786836504
Time to Say “Please”! ISBN 0786852933
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