Plot Summary:
Trixie is a kindergarten girl who endures her first day of school with her "one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny." Not only was Trixie excited to show her companion to her teacher, but she was excited to show her new classmates as well. During the introduction of her Knuffle Bunny to her classmates, Trixie realizes that her Knuffle Bunny wasn't one-of-a-kind when she meets Sonya, her classmate with a very similar bunny. Trixie proceeds through her first day of kindergarten, but it's at bedtime when she realizes something just isn't right. In the middle of the night, Trixie awakens her parents who in the ending provides resolution and Trixie not only finds the solution to the problem, but also gains a new best friend.
Critical Analysis:
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity provides readers with a captivating and entertaining story-line depicted by the illustrator's inclusion of, both, black and white photographs and colored drawn cartoon figures of the characters. Mo Willems' technique of incorporating colored cartoon drawings on top of the black and white photographs results in a contrasting affect that brings attention to the characters. Willems also tells the Case of Mistaken Identity through narration, which is written outside of the photograph and includes character dialog in colored speech balloons alongside of the characters, especially the dialog from Trixie.
Trixie is a kindergarten girl, between the ages of five to six, who displays characteristics of attachment to her stuffed bunny. Like any other beginning elementary school student, comfort is exuded through her stuffed animal attachment. Trixie is an outspoken, friendly girl who demonstrates the same personality traits that a majority of five year olds display; happiness, excitement, curiosity, and innocence. Mo Willems uses Trixie's character to appeal to children who are transitioning to the life of school-hood. Not only does Willems create a character that children can relate to, but he also continues Trixie's experiences through two other picture storybooks.
Awards Won:
Caldecott Medal (2008), Book Sense Book of the Year Award: Children's Illustrated (2008)
Review Excerpts:
"...Willems revisits his black-and-white Brooklyn, his now-signature cartoon characters superimposed on the photographs. This technique here yields some spectacular results: The middle-of-the-night hostage exchange features a glorious image of the Manhattan skyline, the teeny figures of Trixie and her daddy and Sonja and her daddy approaching from opposite sides of Grand Army Plaza. His mastery of pacing is evident in every panel and page turn, the understated text punctuating the illustrations perfectly, and his use of the conventions of cartooning add to the hilarity. Too often, sequels come off as obviously calculated attempts to cash in on success; this offering, with its technical brilliance and its total and sympathetic understanding of the psychology of the preschooler, stands as magnificent in its own right." - Kirkus Reviews
"Willems has a brilliant knack for exposing early childhood's developmental pivot points, and for lampooning the best efforts of today's hip but hapless parents to do the right thing. In the artist's computer-manipulated graphics, manically wired and warmhearted cartoon characters rendered in color play out their workaday dramas against a backdrop of black-and-white photographs of neighborhood streets and interiors. Beyond the novelty of the special effect lies the stirring truth that the city that never sleeps is a self-regenerating, nonstop theater of becoming, a place where on any given day, amid huge skyscrapers and venerable brownstone blocks, two new friends may decide to draw their own favorite bunnies on the nearest sidewalk for all the world to see." - The New York TimesConnections:
Customers who bought this book also purchased Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is Mo Willems' first book included within this three book series; whereas, Knuffle Bunny: An Unexpected Diversion concludes the series.
Interactivity:
- Ask children if they have a favorite stuffed animal or object (like a blanket) that provides a sense of comfort.
- Allow a 'show-and-tell' day where children can bring their favorite stuffed animal to show to the class and have during story-time.
- Ask children how they met their 'first best friend.'
