Knuffle Bunny Too
The Summary: When we last saw Trixie she was a drooling, happy baby who loved to take her Knuffle Bunny everywhere. Now, Trixie is older and talking non-stop, but still loves to take Knuffle Bunny wherever she goes. On this particular day, she is taking her Knuffle Bunny to school for show and tell, but when she gets there she is in for a surprise…someone else has an identical Knuffle! What ensues is a battle of the Knuffle’s (do you say Kuh-nuffle or Nuffle?) that can only end in misery. Finally, it is the end of the day and each girl goes home with her Bunny…or does she? In the middle of the night Trixie realizes the horrible truth – she has the wrong Knuffle! A midnight rendezvous does more than reunite the right Knuffle with the right girl as a new friendship is discovered.
The Good: Mo Willems’ books are just so different from anything else out there on the picture book shelves. The illustrations often look like photographs, which almost leaves the impression that you, the reader, are looking at a photo album rather than a picture book. The characters are hand-drawn ink sketches by Willems, but the background, or world that the characters live in, are real-life photographs. This use of mixed media creates a unique experience for the eyes as illustration is blended with reality. As in the Elephant and Piggie books, any time a character speaks there is a speech bubble, but the narrator’s text, which is bold and free-floating, remains appropriately placed around the illustrations without ever getting in the way. In other words, the text and illustrations (bubble or no bubble) are perfectly balanced so that one does not distract from the other, and together they create a cohesive whole. As always, the story is full of humor and emotion. I could not help but feel a little teary at the end when the girls are reunited with their Knuffle’s and realize that they share a common bond that could lead to friendship. All in all, this a touching, humorous sequel to Knuffle Bunny that any kid (or adult) will love reading over and over again.
The verdict: I would read this to anyone, child or adult.
The rating: 9
Filed under: Caldecott, Mo Willems, Picture Book
