Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700


Plot Summary

In this Picture book, a young girl, Trixie, goes on a trip with her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny to the Laundromat in Brooklyn. Trixie is so excited to be helping her dad with the
laundry that she accidentally places Knuffle Bunny in the washer with the clothes.


After walking a few blocks toward home, Trixie realizes that the bunny is missing, but, because she is not yet able to speak she has no way of communicating with her dad. She screams and fusses and stresses her dad out until they arrive home and mom instantly notices it’s missing.

The threesome dashes back to the Laundromat in search of the missing Knuffle Bunny, and it is eventually found in the load of wash. After all this chaos, Trixie speaks her first words, Knuffle
Bunny!!


Critical Analysis

The illustration of this book is so unusual and eye-catching. Cartoon like drawings are done on top of photography of the streets of Brooklyn, giving the reader a sense of the community, and adding another level of interest. The writing is light and humorous, and allows the reader to feel the pain of both Trixie and her father, during their treacherous journey home. This book is both humorous, and endearing as you live this struggle with Trixie and her family.


Review Excerpt

School Library Journal review: “Knuffle Bunny's contrast of the cartoony characters over the scenic grayscale photography is best described as very, very right”


Connections

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1423102991


This book would be good for discussion about treasured items, family communication, and what it’s like to not be able to say what you need to.