Knuffle Bunny: A cautionary Tale

Trixie's stuffed rabbit gets soaked and saved.

  

    


BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. New York; Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
ISBN 0786818700

Mo Willems

PLOT SUMMARY:

Trixie, her Daddy and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the local laundromat. Trixie enjoys the trip to the laundromat and helping her Daddy put the clothes in and put the money into the machine. On their way home Trixie realizes she did not have her"Aggle flaggle Klabble!" She tries and tries to explain it to her Daddy but he never understands her words. He asks and pleas to Trixie, "please don't get fussy," but she continues squalling and going "boneless." They finally arrive home, as soon as Trixie's mom opens the door she noticies that Knuffle Bunny is missing. The entire family rushes back to the laundromat where Trixie's dady looks and looks for Knuffle Bunny until he finally find it with the wet clothes. Trixie is so excited she says her first words "Knuffle Bunny!!!"

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale explores something that happens to every child -- they lose or misplace a beloved stuff animal. The illustration are a combination of muted black - and - white photographs and vivid cartoon drawings that are superimposed. Mo Willems draws an excellent "boneless" Trixie as her Dad carries her home during her tantrum. Of course, Mom immediately notices Knuffle Bunny is missing, before the words are even asked, her inquisitive expression says it all "Where is Knuffle Bunny?" These characters tell the true story in unsaid words. Their visual expressions convey just as much if not more than the simple text.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Child Magazine: "In a smart blend of cartoons and sepia-toned photos, Caldecott Honor winner Willems spins a comical tale of trouble at the laundromat. Knuffle Bunny, a beloved stuffed rabbit, accidentally gets tossed in with the wash. When little Trixie realized what's happened to her bunny, the toddler gets crative in conveying her loss."

AWARDS:

Booklist Book Review Starts, Sep. 15, 2004

Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2004 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Children's Choices, 2005

Fanfare Honor List, 2004

Kirkus Book Review Stars, August 1, 2004

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 2004

School Library Journal: Best Books, 2004

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2005

Quill Awards, 2005

2X2 Reading List, 2005

CONNECTIONS:

*Students bring their favorite stuffed animal to school and
  create their own story

*Discuss differences between cities, towns and rural areas

*Read other books by Mo Willems