The Knuffle Bunny Trilogy

PreS-Gr 2—Rereleased on one disc, Mo Willems's beloved trilogy is fully animated and interpreted by the voices of the author/illustrator, his wife, Cher, and daughter, Trixie, speaking for their picture book counterparts. Each title is introduced by Mo and Trixie as they share the book, beginning with naming the important life events that grace the first pages—Mo and Cher's wedding, the couple welcoming baby Trixie, and the family standing in front of their home. All three tales are centered on the adventures of Mo, Trixie, and the girl's beloved stuffed rabbit, Knuffle Bunny. Each story is accompanied by lively jazz music by Robert Reynolds and Scotty Huff, and the rendition of the same piece grows in complexity as Trixie grows up throughout the three short films. The animation emphasizes Willems's technique of painting over black-and-white photos; the scene where Trixie and schoolmate Sonya and their fathers meet at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza in the middle of the night is especially dramatic. Bonus material includes 2008 and 2011 interviews with the author speaking about his art and inspiration, and how fiction and fact combine in these stories. A substantial learning guide, with activities for before or after viewing, is included. These picture books are made even more charming with this high quality production.