KNUFFLE BUNNY-Genre 1

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny. New York, N.Y.: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 078681870-0

Plot Summary

In this easy to read picture book, Mo Willems writes about how a child speaks her very first words. Trixie goes to the laundromat with her daddy, while carrying her favorite stuffed animal. She helps her daddy load the machine, but loses her friend. She is too young to speak words and struggles to explain the problem to her father. She throws a temper tantrum on the way home. Trixie and dad are both frustrated. Mom solves the problem immediately when she opens the door and realizes what is missing. The family returns to the laundromat and dad finds the stuffed animal. Trixies first words are "Knuffle Bunny"

Critical Analysis

Mo Willems uses real photographs of his hometown and then draws colored ink sketches of cartoon people. He adds the people into his photographs. The black and white photographs lead the reader to believe this is what happened to the author when he was small. The facial expressions of Trixie really tell the story. Trixie has a temper tantrum when she can not explain that her favorite stuffed animal is missing. All children can relate to a time they lost something special, and all parents can think of a time that their child has been "boneless". It is amazing how mom is the hero and solves the problem immediately as she opens the door. That special mom/child connection is evident in this story.

Review Excerpt(s)

2005 Caldecott Honor Book

School Library Journal: "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".

Connections

Introduce other books by Mo Willems like Knuffle Bunny Too, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and The Pegeon Finds a Hot Dog.

Children write about a time they lost something special to them.