1. Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
2. Plot Summary
In this children's book by Mo Willems, Trixie, a toddler, goes on a trip with her Dad to the laundromat. Along with her, she takes her beloved stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. After having fun helping her Dad at the laundromat and starting back to her house, Trixie realizes with great panic that she is missing her precious Knuffle Bunny. The problem is that Trixie is not able to speak yet to tell her Dad what is wrong. This creates a hilarious dialogue of miscommunication between her father and Trixie. When they reach home, her mother knows exactly what the problem is and the whole family races back to the laundromat. When she is reunited with her stuffed friend, Trixie says her first words-"Knuffle Bunny!"
3. Critical Analysis
The characters in this book are very believable and lovable. You can tell Trixie is a bundle of energy as she "helps" her Dad with the laundry. You also have to admire her determination in expressing herself even when her Dad does not get the message at all! The reader has sympathy for the Dad who just completely misses what Trixie is trying to tell him. It is also amusing that her Dad, while having good intentions, misunderstands Trixie's situation but her mother knows what is wrong the minute she sees them.
The plot of Knuffle Bunny is one that is familiar to young children. Trixie has a special friend who means the world to her. Losing Knuffle Bunny is a major catastrophe! Many children have strong emotional bonds to toys or objects that are like security blankets to them. Also, what child does not know the frustration of trying to communicate something terribly important to them only to be misunderstood by an adult? The reader also feels that they have reached an important milestone with Trixie when she speaks her first words at the end of the book.
It is easy to see why this book won a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are very unique in that they are drawings that are laid on top of black and white photographs. The real urban neighborhood setting makes you feel like you really are taking a trip with Trixie and her Dad down the sidewalk, through the park, and into the laundromat. Mo Willems' drawings capture the humor and reality of young children. The part where Trixie is throwing a fit and goes "boneless" is something all parents and children can relate to! I liked the use of foreshadowing in the illustrations when you see Knuffle Bunny being left in the washing machine.
4. Review Excerpt
School Library Journal Book of the Week Review-"Personalities are artfully created so that both parents and children will recognize themselves within these pages. A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
5. Connections
I read this book to my two year old son, who only sits still for certain books, and this one held his attention. Even if the story had not held his attention, the illustrations were interesting enough to keep him happy. He pointed and named objects and he also liked the emotions on the characters' faces! His favorite part was when Trixie flapped her arms and yelled a bunch of nonsense words trying to tell her Dad that Knuffle Bunny was missing. I think he also just likes to say "Knuffle Bunny". This is fast becoming one of his favorite books right now!
Other picture books by Mo Willems:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ISBN 078681988X
Knuffle Bunny Too: The Case of the Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1423102991
There is a Bird on your Head! ISBN 1423106865
Topol, Martha. 2004. Book of the Week: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems. School Library Journal (October 4), http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA457411.html?industryid=47054&q=knuffle+bunny (accessed January 27, 2009).
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
2. Plot Summary
In this children's book by Mo Willems, Trixie, a toddler, goes on a trip with her Dad to the laundromat. Along with her, she takes her beloved stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. After having fun helping her Dad at the laundromat and starting back to her house, Trixie realizes with great panic that she is missing her precious Knuffle Bunny. The problem is that Trixie is not able to speak yet to tell her Dad what is wrong. This creates a hilarious dialogue of miscommunication between her father and Trixie. When they reach home, her mother knows exactly what the problem is and the whole family races back to the laundromat. When she is reunited with her stuffed friend, Trixie says her first words-"Knuffle Bunny!"
3. Critical Analysis
The characters in this book are very believable and lovable. You can tell Trixie is a bundle of energy as she "helps" her Dad with the laundry. You also have to admire her determination in expressing herself even when her Dad does not get the message at all! The reader has sympathy for the Dad who just completely misses what Trixie is trying to tell him. It is also amusing that her Dad, while having good intentions, misunderstands Trixie's situation but her mother knows what is wrong the minute she sees them.
The plot of Knuffle Bunny is one that is familiar to young children. Trixie has a special friend who means the world to her. Losing Knuffle Bunny is a major catastrophe! Many children have strong emotional bonds to toys or objects that are like security blankets to them. Also, what child does not know the frustration of trying to communicate something terribly important to them only to be misunderstood by an adult? The reader also feels that they have reached an important milestone with Trixie when she speaks her first words at the end of the book.
It is easy to see why this book won a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are very unique in that they are drawings that are laid on top of black and white photographs. The real urban neighborhood setting makes you feel like you really are taking a trip with Trixie and her Dad down the sidewalk, through the park, and into the laundromat. Mo Willems' drawings capture the humor and reality of young children. The part where Trixie is throwing a fit and goes "boneless" is something all parents and children can relate to! I liked the use of foreshadowing in the illustrations when you see Knuffle Bunny being left in the washing machine.
4. Review Excerpt
School Library Journal Book of the Week Review-"Personalities are artfully created so that both parents and children will recognize themselves within these pages. A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
5. Connections
I read this book to my two year old son, who only sits still for certain books, and this one held his attention. Even if the story had not held his attention, the illustrations were interesting enough to keep him happy. He pointed and named objects and he also liked the emotions on the characters' faces! His favorite part was when Trixie flapped her arms and yelled a bunch of nonsense words trying to tell her Dad that Knuffle Bunny was missing. I think he also just likes to say "Knuffle Bunny". This is fast becoming one of his favorite books right now!
Other picture books by Mo Willems:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ISBN 078681988X
Knuffle Bunny Too: The Case of the Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1423102991
There is a Bird on your Head! ISBN 1423106865
Topol, Martha. 2004. Book of the Week: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems. School Library Journal (October 4), http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA457411.html?industryid=47054&q=knuffle+bunny (accessed January 27, 2009).
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