June 30th 2010

2007 - Knuffle Bunny Too

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Caldecott Honor Book

Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

ISBN: 978 1 4231 0299 1

This book caught my interest right away with the illustration on the cover. I found it quite interesting how the illustrator combined a natural black and white photogragh with the color illustration of a little girl an her father. This type of illusration is unusual for a childrens book, but makes you want to look and try to figure out where this might be taking place. I also liked the little girls face with her great big eyes. I wanted to know what they were up to? So I had to read the book.

As it turns out a wonderful story of a little girl named Trixie and her excitement of wanting to share her "one of a kind..." Knuffle Bunny with all her friends at school. But to her dismay after getting to her classroom she is shocked to see that Sonja has the exact same Knuffle Bunny. How could this be? Now all the excitement turned into controversy and their teacher Ms. Green grove had to take the bunnies away. Leading the girls into a "not" such a great day! Their day did get better (so they thought) at the end of their school day when their bunnies were returned. Till....the middle of the night, 2:30 a.m. to be exact, Trixie realizes that that was not her Knuffle Bunny. She wakes her parents and has her father call Sonja's house. Sonja's father answers and... YOU have to read the book yourself to find out what happens to the two girls and their Knuffle Bunnies? Do they meet up and excahnge in the middle of the night? Do they wait for the next day of school? Does the night end up peaceful?

Mo Willems does a terrific job in illustrating both with his pictures and his story in discussing friendship, sharing and disagreements amongst preschool children. He does it a way that they can definitely relate to. He displays how children actually think and feel. You get that real sense of disappointment in Trixie's face when she sees that other Knuffle Bunny. You actually feel for her and want to know what she will do next. He captivates actual moments and moods of 4 year olds and what parents might have to possibly deal with at this point and time of a child's life. I have to admit, I didn't notice right away that the bunnies had been switched, till it was pointed out. It made me wonder what could have possibly been wrong? It gave an element of surprise.

Overall, a very funny, touching and captivating story that we can all relate to. Especially being a parent and an early childhood educator.

This book can be used in the classroom for many themes: Teaching cooperation, how to deal with our feelings/ emotions, making text to self connections and how to use art in diferent ways. A must read to all!