Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Knuffle Bunny #2)

In this sympathetic sequel to "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale", former toddler Trixie gains verbal dexterity and still treasures her rag doll, Knuffle Bunny. Tugging her gangly, red-haired father along the sidewalk, she hurries to her preschools show-and-tell, eager to show off her pale-green, floppy rabbit. But just as her daddy kissed her good-bye, Trixie saw Sonja. No words need explain Trixies distressed expression, because a turn of the page says it all: Trixies classmate, with a wicked smirk, is clutching a bunny of her own. Suddenly, Trixies one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny wasnt so one-of-a-kind anymore. Each girl hugs her rabbit, with Trixie insisting, Kuh-nuffle! Kuh-nuffle! and Sonja retorting, Nuffle! Nuffle! Their teacher raises an eyebrow and puts both rabbits in time-out until the end of the day. Willems expertly sets up this case of mistaken identity, as each girl accidentally brings home the wrong bunny, and a late-night exchange is needed to resolve the girls dilemma. As in the first book, Willems creates comic-book-style panels, with grayscale photographs of Brooklyn as backgrounds for his color-illustrated characters; insiders will recognize allusions to past Willems titles too. In a satisfying resolution, Trixie and Sonja become best friends, demonstrating that two or more children can enjoy similar toys. Not a word or image feels out of place. Ages 3-6. "(Sept.)"

Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1When Trixie and her beloved Knuffle Bunny go to preschool, Trixie is shocked to learn that her bunny is not entirely unique in the world. Indeed, classmate Sonja has one, too! An argument ensues over the pronunciation of the bunny's name ("Kuh-nuffle," insists Trixie. "Nuffle," replies Sonja), and the teacher confiscates both bunnies, returning them at the end of the day. Trixie's blissful reunion comes to a dramatic conclusion at 2:30 a.m. when she awakens to the horrifying fact that this "]is NOT Knuffle Bunny." In an unspeakable error, the stuffed animals have been switched. And both girls expect the mistake to be corrected immediately. Fans will not be surprised that daddy and Trixie venture into the Brooklyn night to meet Sonja and her dad for the rapturous exchange and a final hug that presages friendship between the girls. As readers have come to expect of Willems, his understated text is brief and the visual storytelling is hilariously eloquent. He masterfully employs the technique of setting his vivid, hand-drawn characters against photographs of neighborhood, school, and even (in an exquisite page turn) the beautifully up-lit Grand Army Plaza at night. In both photographs and cartoons there is expansively witty detail, and it will take a keen observer to distinguish between the "twin" bunnies (and to find the famous pigeon). Irresistibly funny, tender, and universal, this is another consummate star turn for Trixie, daddy, bunny, and their creator."Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.