Knuffle Bunny facts for kids
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| Author | Mo Willems |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Knuffle Bunny Series |
| Genre | children's books picture books |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books |
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Publication date
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October 2, 2004 |
| Pages | 36 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7868-1870-9 |
| OCLC | 55606208 |
| [E] 22 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.W65535 Knu 2004 |
| Followed by | Knuffle Bunny Too |
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is a popular children's picture book written by Mo Willems. It was released in 2004 by Hyperion Books. This book is special because it won the 2005 Caldecott Honor, which is a big award for children's books. The story became so popular that it was made into an animated short film and even a musical play! There are also two more books that continue the story. The main character in the series is a little girl named Trixie, who is named after Mo Willems's own daughter.
What Happens in the Book?
The story follows a little girl named Trixie Willems and her dad, Mo Willems. They walk together to the laundromat. Trixie loves helping her dad load clothes and put money into the washing machine.
On their way home, Trixie realizes something important is missing: her favorite stuffed rabbit, Knuffle Bunny! Because Trixie is still a toddler, she can't talk yet. She tries her best to tell her dad why she's upset, but he doesn't understand. She cries and goes "boneless," which means she just flops down. Both Trixie and her dad arrive home feeling unhappy.
Luckily, Trixie's mom, Cheryl, immediately understands that Knuffle Bunny is gone. The three of them quickly run back to the laundromat. After searching through all the wet laundry, Mo finally finds the toy! Trixie is so excited that she says her very first words: "Knuffle Bunny!!!"
Knuffle Bunny Beyond the Book
The story of Knuffle Bunny has been enjoyed in many ways beyond the book.
- Audio Version: An audio version of the story was created. It was narrated by Mo, Cheryl, and Trixie Willems themselves! This audio version won the 2007 Audie Award for Children's Titles for Ages up to 8.
- Animated Short Film: The book was also turned into an animated short film. This film won the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video in 2007.
- Musical Play: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is a musical play based on the book. It was created by Mo Willems, Michael Silversher, and Deborah Wicks La Puma. This musical toured around the United States with the Kennedy Center.
- Stuffed Toy: You can even find a real Knuffle Bunny stuffed toy! It was made by Yottoy Productions.
- Statue: In 2019, a statue of Knuffle Bunny was put in the Park Slope branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Park Slope was chosen because that's where the books are set, and it was where the author lived when he wrote them.
- TV Show: The story has also been read on the children's TV show Between the Lions.
More Knuffle Bunny Adventures
The story of Trixie and Knuffle Bunny continues in two more books, making it a trilogy (a series of three books).
- Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity was published in August 2007. This sequel shows Trixie three years after the first book.
- Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion was released in September 2010. This book completes the series. The final part of the book includes a special message from Mo Willems to his real daughter, Trixie, wishing her well as she grows up.
