Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Publisher: Walker Books, A$15.95RRP
Publication date: 01/06/2008
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9781406313826
For ages: 2 - 6
Type: Picture Book
About: There’s a reason Mo Willems’ books have done so well. His inherent sense of humour, both in his text and illustrations, is just completely huggable. My first Willems book was the original Knuffle Bunny (A Cautionary Tale) and I was totally addicted.
This second book in the Knuffle series (book three is out soon), sees Trixie a little older now – kindergarten age – and her faithful sidekick, K.Bunny is still firmly attached to her person (and still as cute as ever).
But when another little girl brings a Knuffle Bunny identical twin to school, things start to go pear-shaped. Knuffle Bunny is no longer a one-of-a-kind friend, and when some childlike ego battering ensues, teacher steps in and removes the bunnies altogether.
At the end of the day, the stuffed rabbits are redistributed… but of course, it’s not until the middle of the night, when Trixie is snuggled up with Knuffle in bed, that she… realizes something…
That’s right. It’s not her bunny.
The debacle that follows is truly giggle-worthy, and parents will groan and nod in empathy as a nighttime rendez-vous is organized to facilitate an undercover swap. And when both girls are finally reunited with their respective bunnies, they extend that warm fuzzy relief into a new best-friendship.
The use of photographs and coloured sketches in this book are so gorgeously done. Willems not only has a knack for styling (without over-styling), he also uses each page to heighten the drama and emotion. When Trixie first sees the rival bunny at kinder, for example, the use of separate successive shots zooming in on Rival Rabbit is priceless. You can just hear the ominous music – da da daaaaaaaa…………
Trixie is an adorable character and her dad is glorious, but of course, it’s Knuffle Bunny always steals the show. Bring on Book Three!
