105 Ways to Give a Book

Knuffle Bunny Free

In June I talked at PBS Booklights about the anticipation surrounding the latest in the adventures of one special, stuffed bunny. As the book drops today, I’ll share that post here.

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected DiversionKnuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
by Mo Willems

Certainly if I went to the Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical with my tween daughter, then I must have a fond spot for the books. (Okay, and Mo — no secret there.) The plot of the picture books is simple: girl has bunny, girl loses bunny, girl finds bunny again. But it’s not about the plot. In the first book, the subtext is the frustration of a toddler in not being understood (“Aggle Flaggle!”) and the helplessness of the parent in not understanding. The reward at the end is Trixie’s first word — and by extension the family moves to the next level of communication. In the second book, the loss of the bunny is surrounded by a conflict with a peer and ends with a discovery of real friendship. The parent conflict contained within is that of mothers and fathers struggling with encouraging strength and independence, yet wanting to save our dear children from any hardship. The third book sees Trixie on a trip to Holland to see her grandparents, and losing Knuffle Bunny this time exposes the whole family to the idea of When Hope May Be Lost. And then what it means to grow up — both for the child and for the parent watching the transition. A lovely, bittersweet conclusion to the series — and dare I hope, to an extended, full-length Knuffle Bunny musical.

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6 comments:

Peaceful Reader said...

I can't wait to read the conclusion of Trixie's journey!

Anonymous said...

There is just nothing better than one of my storytime kids looking up at me after reading an Elephant & Piggie book aloud and having her declare, "Miss Pat, you so silly!". Amen and thank you Mo for that moment.

I read Knuffle Bunny Free at the publisher's booth at ALA in DC and had tears streaming down my face. Sigh.

Pat from Ohio

Stacey said...

OMG! I HAVE to get my hands on this book.
Holland, eh? How exciting!

Debbie Barr said...

I just read this the other day, and thought it was the perfect conclusion to the series. Mo is a genius!

Editors@BooksforKids.Reviews said...

I don't think I'm "ready" for the end. Just thinking about it stresses me out.

going to snuggle now

Melissa Taylor said...

I was so sad (and mad that it ended!)