Do we have any Mississippi Dads reading this site? I love the book and recommend that you read Knuffle Bunny to your children. Your discussion during and after the story will be a treasured time.
You may know the name Mo Willems, for his PIGEON is a popular picture book character! He’s won three Caldecott Honor Awards, the first being, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Mo Willems was in Hattiesburg in 2006 at the University of Mississippi Southern for the Children’s Book Festival.
Mo Willems was raised in New Orleans, studied art in New York, married and lived in Brooklyn, New York and presently lives in Massachusetts with his wife and daughter. The talented young artist and writer won Emmy Awards for his work on Sesame Street from 1993-2002. His versatility includes work as an animator, children’s book author and illustrator, and artist of ceramic and wire sculptures found in museums across the country. Recently he’s published a new series of early readers, The Cat the Cat series.
I heard Mo talk about his life and career and stood in a long line to get an autographed copy of Knuffle Bunny (my favorite book of his) for the birthday of our grown son who is the father of our two granddaughters.
Our son Bill’s favorite toy was Snoopy, a brown-and-white dog whose short white tail wagged from under Bill’s right arm every night at bedtime. Like the rabbit in the childhood classic, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, who became real by being loved, Snoopy’s fur was rubbed off around his neck.
My son likes the Pigeon books and enjoyed reading his gift book to his daughters. He said, “I love the sub-title: A Cautionary Tale!” In Knuffle Bunny, Dad takes his young daughter Trixie to the Laundromat as she wags and drags her little toy bunny-rabbit. Later when they get home, Mom inquires about Trixie’s rabbit and Dad is clueless! The expressions and illustrations are priceless. Trixie can’t yet talk and gives some garbled pre-speaking sounds but Dad realizes the problem.
I enjoyed Mo Willems descriptions of using his comic-style illustrations on top of the sepia-toned photographs of Brooklyn neighborhoods. He said, “I took out the air conditioners and garbage cans in the photos.” You will enjoy Mo’s artwork and the surprise ending will delight your family!
Have any of you Mississippi Moms read Knuffle Bunny? Will you refer these words to your husbands? Modern caring Dads love to read to their children and are great about sharing family responsibilities. Reading together is a great way to come home, relax, and share in your home life. HOORAY for Books!
Recommended: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems, Hyperion, 2004.
Did you catch my OOPS! Apologies to all you GOLDEN EAGLES!
I know the name of the “University of Southern Mississippi! “