Genre 1--Book Review 2

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2007. KNUFFLE BUNNY TWO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4231-0299-1

PLOT SUMMARY

The sequel to KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE, KNUFFLE BUNNY TWO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY catches up with the book’s heroine as she navigates her way to Pre-K. Excitement builds for Trixie as she chatters excitedly to her ever devoted daddy on their walk to school. She anticipates showing her “one-of-a-kind” Knuffle Bunny to her teachers and her friends. However, the unthinkable occurs when she sees Sonja with a bunny just like her own. Arguments ensue and the teacher takes the bunnies away. Later, the bunnies are restored to their rightful owners…but are they? In the middle of the night, Trixie awakens with the horrible realization that the bunnies were switched. Phone calls and a mad dash across the neighborhood correct the mistake. During the exchange both girls express empathy for the other’s plight and Trixie makes her first best friend (“Knuffle Bunny excepted, of course.”)

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In his picture book, KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY, Mo Willems continues the beloved tale of Trixie, her bunny, daddy, and their neighborhood. Preschool Trixie is a whirl of emotions and Willem’s simple lines reveal her facial expressions simply and effectively. Young readers will identify with Trixie’s plight and anxieties and will be satisfied with the pleasing resolution. The recognizable cartoon images of the characters juxtaposed against the gray scale photographs of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods are distinctive and engaging. On several pages, the addition of the speech bubbles on a few of the pages detracts somewhat from the illustrations.

As the emotion reaches a climax, the two page spread of the Grand Army Plaza lit up at night demonstrates the perfect stillness of the city in its dark hours. Trixie learns many lessons throughout the book and Willems deftly crafts her situations so the reader is enlightened and contented. Great story by a unique artist and illustrator.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, July 17, 2007
…Not a word or image feels out of place.

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, August 1, 2007
…irresistibly funny, tender, and universal, this is another consummate star turn for Trixie, daddy, bunny, and their creator.-Kate McClelland

Review from BOOKLIST, September 1, 2007
…Willem’s cartoon-style art set against crisp black-and-white photos of New York City interiors and exteriors catches every bit of the plentiful emotion.-Ilene Cooper

CONNECTIONS

Examine Trixie’s face on different pages and ask students what Trixie may be feeling. Then, how do you know what she’s feeling? Have young students draw simple faces which express emotion.

Take a photograph of the your classroom and the playground. Print page-size photographs and copy in black and white. Have students insert images into the scenes.

Have a show and tell day where students and teacher bring their own “Knuffle Bunny.”

Talk about friendship and how we choose friends. Trixie and Sophie have something in common. They understand each other’s feelings.

Use the book to teach a lesson on similarities and differences. How are the bunnies different? How are Trixie and Sophie the same? Draw columns and compare and contrast.

The argument about the pronunciation of “Kuh-nuffle” vs. “Nuffle” could predicate a lesson on silent first consonants.