Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

Willems, M.  (2004).  Knuffle bunny, a cautionary tale.  New York:  Hyperion Books for children.

This book received the Caldecott Honor (2005)

Exposition:  Trixie, who can only speak in garble sentences, goes with her daddy and her favorite stuffed bunny, Knuffle Bunny, to the laundromat.

Conflict: Trixie loses her much loved Knuffle Bunny.

Rising Action:  Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, and Trixie's daddy walk to the laundromat.  Trixie assists her daddy with loading the washing machines.

Climax:  Trixie and her daddy walk home when they are done loading the washing machines.  Trixie realizes she is not holding Knuffle Bunny.  Trixie does her best to let her daddy know about Knuffle Bunny, but she is only able to speak garble.  Her daddy does not understand what she's trying to say and everybody is pretty frustrated.

Falling Action:  When Trixie and her daddy arrive home, Mom notices immediately that Knuffle Bunny is missing. 

Resolution:  The family rushes back to the laundromat.  They find Knuffle Bunny in the washing machine.

Mo Willems is a master at showing wonderful and funny emotions on the faces of his characters.  Mo Willems uses a combination of real black and white photographs as backgrounds.  He uses colorful illustrations on top of the photographs.  His illustrations reinforce the text and develop the characters.  We can clearly see how much Trixie loves her Knuffle Bunny and how upset she is when she can't find it.  Every library and home needs the complete collection of Mo Willems books.  They will bring a smile to your face.