Knuffle Bunny - Mo Willems

Published by Walker Books Ltd: London, 2005.
First published by Hyperion Books for Children, 2004.

This story, from the author of Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct, seems to be based on a true story that the author experienced with his young daughter. I really like Edwina, and this book contains the same clever and humorous writing and illustration style that I clicked with, while going in a different direction in some areas. Author (and illustrator) Willems makes the choice in this book to maintain his cartoony style of illustration while adding in backdrops made of real photos of (presumably) his own neighbourhood, which adds a unique flavour to this story.

The story itself is cute: little Trixie goes to the laundry with her dad, and in the process her favourite toy, Knuffle Bunny, is misplaced. Trixie - who has not begun to speak yet - tries to help her dad to understand, but fails, and gets more and more upset (with the narration telling us that he dad also ends up getting upset). Eventually, mum helps clarify what is wrong, and Knuffle Bunny is found, leading to Trixie uttering her first words.

It's cute. It's funny. And it works for both parents and children.

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