Picture Book Pick: You're Gonna Love Knuffle Bunny!

I really do try to stick to recommending books that will specifically appeal to girls -- but there will be occasional books in this blog that EVERYONE should love, no matter what!

One of these books is Knuffle Bunny, by a perennial favorite of mine, Mo Willems.

Who can resist the cherubic face of sweet little Trixie as she ventures out with her father to the laundromat toting her best friend in the world -- Knuffle Bunny.

Trixie's hilarious baby talk will have kiddos rolling in the aisles -- as well as her sheer panic when she realize that her beloved Knuffle Bunny is missing!

Parents will giggle at the frustration of Trixie's worn-out Dad as he tries to figure out what is wrong with the kid.

When they head home and Mom points out the obvious ("Where's Knuffle Bunny?") the trio head back to the laundromat and a hilarious search ensues.

The simple, adorable illustrations are wonderful, with real photographs ingeniously incorporated into the scenes. Your kids will love poring over them and then they'll cheer when the search is over and Trixie finally utters her first real words ....

Can you guess what they are?

Kids who still have a favorite snuggly toy will relate to this book, as will adults who know that if that toy ever gets lost -- it's going to be a bad, bad day.

You will enjoy reading this book -- regardless of age or gender -- better yet, let your kiddos act it out for you -- I bet they'll put on quite a show!

Mo Willems: For New Readers and Wannabe Actresses

My Easy Reader pick of the day was found by my 7 year old in our local library. She's a huge fan of the wonderful author/illustrator Mo Willems (of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! fame), so I wasn't surprised when she selected two books from his Elephant and Piggie series.

In Today I Will Fly!, Piggie is determined to take off into the wild blue yonder, but his elephant friend Gerald is a big party pooper who thinks Piggie is off his rocker.

Of course, Piggie is extremely determined and does indeed find a way to take off. The hilarious dialogue between the two friends is classic Willems, and is continued in My Friend is Sad (Elephant and Piggie) another book from the same series.

In this book, Piggie tries to help Gerald cheer up, but, despite Piggie's memorable attempts, Gerald is still sad. At the end of the book, kids are reminded how much nicer it is to share fun with a friend.

Aside from the sweet, funny text, this book offers a kind of "script" that kids will love to act out. The back and forth between Piggie and Elephant makes for great reading practice for early readers and you'll find that even older kids (like my 9 year old) are more than willing to get in on the action.

I think Mo's books are brilliant in this way -- for picky or reluctant readers they are a great way to have some fun and practice reading aloud at the same time.

You'll never laugh so hard as when the kiddos in your life imitate an elephant who is imitating a robot! Now that is entertainment.

Enjoy this series -- it gets two thumbs up from my own little early reader -- and two more from me!