Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Book Title: Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Author(s): Mo Willems

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Mo Willems

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction picturebook

Brief Annotation: On the walk to school, Trixie excitedly brags about showing off her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny to all of her friends. When she discovers that Sonja has the same Knuffle Bunny, an argument ensues and the teacher confiscates both stuffed animals. In the middle of the night, Trixie shockingly discovers that the bunnies have been swapped. The fathers and girls meet, and after a tense exchange, Trixie and Sonja are able to look past their differences and focus on what they have in common: a love for their Knuffle Bunnies, resulting in Trixie finding her first best friend.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5—Both children and adults will find humor in Knuffle Bunny Too, and audiences of all ages will enjoy the story and interesting format. The pictures are actual photographs (described by the author as “taken in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and altered to expunge sundry urban debris and protect the innocent”), and they provide background to the characters, which are hand-drawn ink sketches. Reading Knuffle Bunny Too made me want to read Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and other Mo Willems books!

Readers who will like this book: Children who like funny books about kids like themselves; adults who can appreciate humor in kids’ books and enjoy creative artistic tactics; adults who are looking for a good children’s book for a K-3 audience that contains messages on sharing and friendship.

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp (you'll link a strategy to at least 10 of your 40 books) : Literature Map. Yopp & Yopp list many benefits of this activity including the following two: “First, students become more actively involved in their reading. They paraphrase ideas and identify important or interesting information while they are reading. Second, discussion is enhanced. Because children have taken notes while reading, they are better prepared to discuss the traits or behaviors of a particular character, for example” (p. 63). In addition, literature maps can easily include all children with varying abilities and can help them all feel success when their ideas are recorded. A literature map usually consists of four categories, which can include character traits and actions, setting, vocabulary, questions, and any number of other concepts. Students record information for each category in one word responses or in phrases. For Knuffle Bunny Too, examples of categories could include “Trixie,” “Daddy,” “Setting,” and “Friendship.”

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have you ever thought something you had was extra unique and one-of-a-kind? What would you do if you saw someone else with the exact same thing? (or if it has happened, what did you do?)

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): Kindergarten--second grade

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.7

3. List awards: 2008 Caldecott Honor, 2008 Notable Children’s Book

4. Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tIiru--ej0