With Easter just around the corner, we thought it would be fun (and maybe) helpful to include some reviews of our favorite “bunny” books. Now these are not your traditional books about Easter, but they do feature that favorite, furry, four-legged creature synonymous with Easter – the rabbit, of course!
First up is Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale written by the wonderful artist and storyteller Mo Willems. There is much to love about this book which offers up a sweet story coupled with some pretty cool illustrations made up of real photographs taken in and around Brooklyn. The black-and-white photographs are superimposed with cartoon-like illustrations that truly bring life to the characters on the page.
Knuffle Bunny (pronounced Kuh-nuffle) is a modern tale about a toddler named Trixie and her beloved stuffed bunny who goes missing after their trip to the laundromat. Trixie and her daddy are on their way home when she realizes Knuffle Bunny is not in tow. (Older readers will take notice of where Knuffle Bunny ends up hiding). It is then that Trixie, whose language skills are still at the incomprehensible level, tries to communicate the unfortunate event to her dad who, confidently but wrongly, assumes what she is trying to say. In a series of scenes all too familiar to parents of toddlers, Trixie’s frustration grows to the point of full-fledged meltdown. Once they get home, Trixie’s mommy immediately takes notice of Knuffle Bunny’s absence (naturally!) and the family takes off running back to the laundromat. Trixie’s daddy feverishly searches for Knuffle Bunny and just when they think all hope is lost, Knuffle Bunny appears! Trixie is so relieved and delighted she clearly exclaims “Knuffle Bunny!” Making those the first words she ever said…
This book remains on our nightly rotation and if we “forget” to include it, my daughter will ask for “bunny.” Her favorite part is the end and she gets such a big smile on her face and excitedly says “bunny” when he is found, followed by “awww” when Trixie hugs Knuffle Bunny. It would not be an overstatement to say that this book has become a modern classic! And what better gift to include in an Easter basket (in lieu of or in addition to the sugary stuff) than a copy of this delightful book and perhaps your very own Knuffle Bunny?
**Look for more reviews of our favorite “bunny” books in upcoming blog posts…
Betty Bunny, like most kids, is not too eager to try new things. So when her mother brings out chocolate cake for dessert, Betty Bunny is quick to express her dislike of it even before she has a chance to try it. However, as soon as she tastes chocolate cake for the first time, Betty Bunny realizes it is the yummiest thing she has ever eaten! Her enthusiasm for chocolate cake can hardly be contained as she declares that she is “going to marry chocolate cake!” Her mother meets her incessant requests for chocolate cake by telling her that she will have to wait until she has eaten a healthy dinner to have chocolate cake. Our headstrong hare is not pleased with this response and hilarity ensues. The accompanying illustrations by Stéphane Jorisch capture the humor of the text as we watch Betty Bunny struggle with waiting to enjoy her next piece of chocolate cake. There is a lesson to be learned and hopefully our own kids pick up on it sooner than Betty Bunny does!
