Bibliography:
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
Plot Summary:
Knuffle Bunny follows Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, and Trixie's father to the laundromat in Brooklyn, New York. After helping her father put the laundry and the money into the machine, the father and daughter leave. It is on the way home that Trixie realizes she does not have Knuffle Bunny! She desperately tries to tell her father what has happened, but he does not understand. Therefore, Trixie must resort to bawling, going "boneless," and simply throwing a fit. When Trixie and her father arrive home, it is Trixie's perceptive mother who immediately realizes that Knuffle Bunny is missing. Trixie and her parents immediately race back to the laundromat and begin their frantic search. When Trixie is finally reunited with her beloved stuffed animal, she excitedly screams "Knuffle Bunny!!! And those were the first words Trixie ever said."
Critical Analysis:
Almost all kids have their own version of a "knuffle bunny" at some point in their early years (and maybe even when they are older). Willems' portrayal of Trixie is precisely consistent for a pre-verbal child as any parent of young children will confirm. After Trixie's father misunderstands her pleas of "aggle flaggle klabble!" and "wumby flappy?!," Trixie bawls and goes "boneless." What parent and child cannot relate to this? The illustrations represent the parent-child misunderstanding and final understanding in the story. Although the sepia toned background photographs and character cartoon drawings seem to contrast, they ultimately complement one another perfectly. The photographs of Brooklyn establish the setting, appeal more to the adult, and highlight the realistic quality and believability of the story. The cartoon drawings of the characters appeal more to the child, serve to highlight the action of the story, and help young children focus and follow the plot. This is a remarkably simple universal toddler drama and yet it is perfectly complete, believable, and satisfying.
Review Excerpt(s):
BCCB Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award Winner
2005 Caldecott Honor Book
Starred review in Booklist: "Effectively registers all the universal signs of toddler distress."
Starred review in School Library Journal: "A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
Connections:
Other Mo Willems books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Today I Will Fly will have the children cracking up and wanting more.
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
Plot Summary:
Knuffle Bunny follows Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, and Trixie's father to the laundromat in Brooklyn, New York. After helping her father put the laundry and the money into the machine, the father and daughter leave. It is on the way home that Trixie realizes she does not have Knuffle Bunny! She desperately tries to tell her father what has happened, but he does not understand. Therefore, Trixie must resort to bawling, going "boneless," and simply throwing a fit. When Trixie and her father arrive home, it is Trixie's perceptive mother who immediately realizes that Knuffle Bunny is missing. Trixie and her parents immediately race back to the laundromat and begin their frantic search. When Trixie is finally reunited with her beloved stuffed animal, she excitedly screams "Knuffle Bunny!!! And those were the first words Trixie ever said."
Critical Analysis:
Almost all kids have their own version of a "knuffle bunny" at some point in their early years (and maybe even when they are older). Willems' portrayal of Trixie is precisely consistent for a pre-verbal child as any parent of young children will confirm. After Trixie's father misunderstands her pleas of "aggle flaggle klabble!" and "wumby flappy?!," Trixie bawls and goes "boneless." What parent and child cannot relate to this? The illustrations represent the parent-child misunderstanding and final understanding in the story. Although the sepia toned background photographs and character cartoon drawings seem to contrast, they ultimately complement one another perfectly. The photographs of Brooklyn establish the setting, appeal more to the adult, and highlight the realistic quality and believability of the story. The cartoon drawings of the characters appeal more to the child, serve to highlight the action of the story, and help young children focus and follow the plot. This is a remarkably simple universal toddler drama and yet it is perfectly complete, believable, and satisfying.
Review Excerpt(s):
BCCB Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award Winner
2005 Caldecott Honor Book
Starred review in Booklist: "Effectively registers all the universal signs of toddler distress."
Starred review in School Library Journal: "A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
Connections:
Other Mo Willems books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Today I Will Fly will have the children cracking up and wanting more.
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