Along with participating in the A to Z Challenge, I want to continue my Perfect Picture Book Fridays participation in April. I appreciate everyone staying with me as I post almost daily this month. The challenge has been interesting and well, a bit of a challenge, to keep up with comments here, there and everywhere. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter. — Stacy

For Perfect Picture Book Fridays, I’ve chosen Knuffle Bunny Free.

The first book Knuffle Bunny was featured on the list in December by Loni Edwards.

Knuffle Bunny Free
An unexpected diversion by Mo Willems
Balzer + Bray/An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 2010
Fiction

Suitable for: Ages 3-7

Theme/Topic: Separation, Growing Up, Family

Opening: One day not so long ago, Trixie took a big trip with her family.
They were on their way to visit Trixie’s “Oma” and “Opa” in Holland.
Holland is far away.

Brief Synopsis: Knuffle Bunny begins the family trip to Holland, but disappears during the travels on planes and trains. Trixie’s older in this story and struggles to enjoy her visit with Oma and Opa as she misses Knuffle Bunny.

Link to resources: Knuffle Bunny Free activities. There are 12 pages of activities for this book. I lost track of time doing some of the activities. Be sure to go back and read the first Knuffle Bunny. There is a teaching guide for Knuffle Bunny too. Mo Willems has wonderful resources for his books.

Why I chose this book: I picked up Knuffle Bunny as part of my first lesson in the Just Write For Kids home course. When I added books I needed to my library list, I grabbed this installment of Trixie and Knuffle Bunny’s adventures. The illustrations — a combination of photos and drawings — hooked me into the story from the first page.  It feels real, due to the photos. Mo Willems offers families a light and fun story. Plus, we’ve been there with a lost lovey or traveling puma — my niece Rosa’s traveling companion. Anyone who’s been on a search and rescue mission for a lost blanket or lovey totally gets this book. Now, I need to read the middle book in the series — Knuffle Bunny Too:  A Case of Mistaken Identity.


To find more picture books and resources, please visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and look for the Perfect Picture Books page.