Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion

Written by Mo Willems

Narrated by Mo Willems, Cher Willems and Trixie Willems

This is the third and final book in the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. Trixie and her family set off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents – in Holland! But it seems Knuffle Bunny has different plans. Join Trixie on this international adventure as she makes a very surprising -- and moving -- decision.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Weston Woods
• Release date: Jan 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9780545831611

Reviews for Knuffle Bunny Free

[mrsbond_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Trixie leaves Knuffle Bunny behind once again. She imagines her beloved stuffy traveling the world, meeting other children. This story struck me the same way as Toy Story 3 -- I am no more ready for Andy and Trixie to grow up than I am my own children!

[miss_annie_o · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The comedic and heartbreaking final instalment Mo Willems’ popular children’s trilogy Knuffle Bunny, is given the extremely befitting title: Knuffle Bunny Free. Little Trixie is now at the kindergarten age, but still attached to her beloved toy bunny. This final book displays Trixie’s growth from a needy and nonverbal toddler to a full-fledged child that is preparing to take on the world! However, before she can grow into the young person that she’s meant to be, Trixie must first give up something of incredible value to her – her best friend, ultimate companion, and security toy, Knuffle Bunny. I enjoyed this book immensely and found it to be heartbreaking, hilarious, and adorable. Mo Willems has a writing style all his own, which is evident in his sentence structures as well as the topics that he broaches. The sentences are kept short, which is great for the attention span of the average five and six year olds, and while the words are all developmentally appropriate, the readers are also introduced to new things, such as a “word bubble” displayed by Trixie’s daddy as he explains what has happened to Knuffle Bunny.This realistic fiction details what it is like for a five or six year old to grow and explore new places with help of her bunny friend. The situations that Trixie encounters such as being on a plane for the first time or visiting with grandparents are all things that real five or six year old children can relate to. Nearly every child has lost a beloved toy and many visit their grandparents on a regular basis, thus giving them an understanding of how special visiting them can be. Willems uses a realistic situation of a lost toy to convey what it means to be a family… To love and support one another in times of need. When the family lands in Holland and reaches Trixie’s grandparent’s house is when she finally realizes that Knuffle Bunny is not with her. Trixie simply goes over to her dad and doesn’t say a word. Through the expression on her face, he knew right away what had happened and jumped up to call the airport. The family comforts her in the time of distress and Trixie’s mommy asks “her to be brave” while her daddy tells her a story. Each member of the family tries to comfort Trixie through different methods, but nothing worked – not even the “brand-new, top-of-the-line FUNNY-BUNNY-WUNNY-DOLL EXTREME” that her grandparents bought her did the trick. Mo Willems does a fantastic job of creating fictional characters that seem as though they could be a child’s best friend, or the family living next door. Trixie’s parents seem to know what she is thinking before she has to say anything and it is clear that they love her immensely.The setting is created through the use of photographs in the background of each cartoon drawing which indicates a sense of tangible reality that may not otherwise have been achieved through the sole use of cartoons – even the photographs from around the world are genuine and give the reader a sense of what other countries are like, not just the city that Trixie lives in. Not only does Willems use the loss of Knuffle Bunny to display immense sadness, he also breaches topics of growth – Trixie realized that “she was getting bigger…. Even if she wished she wasn’t.” Following this realization, she finds that life isn’t the same… She tries to enjoy things, but can’t. Willems does a fantastic job of relating what it’s like to lose something precious, and at the same time realizing that you’re just going to keep getting bigger and bigger until you outgrow your childhood and possibly lose everything that you once loved. This final instalment brings the series to a close in a way that is both perfect and heart wrenching. Trixie does indeed discover Knuffle Bunny on the plane on their way home, and her joy is ecstatic. However, she has also realized that she will continue to grow and grow until she is too big for toys and the security that Knuffle Bunny provides. So what will she do with her beloved Knuffle Bunny?

[jlaurendine-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mo Willems' book, Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion, is about growing up. Trixie went on a plane to visit her grandparents in Holland, and in doing so left her "Knuffle Bunny" on the plane. During her trip with her grandparents, without her stuffed bunny, Trixie learned how to grow up. When she got on the plane to go home, her "Knuffle Bunny" was on the plane! However, Trixie grew up! She gave her prized possession to a baby on the plane, and in turn got a pen pal out of it.

[lferda-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has a nice story with likable characters. The message of "growing up" is an important one for students learning to read.I would use this story at a time when the class is struggling to behave.

[cvarela-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The culminating book of the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. Poor Trixie once again goes to a difficult time when she realizes that she's lost her bunny in another country. She tries to be a big girl and get the best out of a bad situation. Her grandparents try to help as much as the can they even get her a new doll. On her trip back home, she is lucky enough to find her beloved bunny and she decides it's time for Knuffle Bunny to be someone else's best friend.

[lruano-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story is about a young girl name Trixie and her family taking a trip to visit her grandparents in Holland. To go all the way to Hooland they have to take and airplane and a train because it's very far away. While Trixie is having the time of her life enjoying everything thing she realizes her Knuffle Bunny is gone. She looks for it but figure out she left it on the plane. he tries to enjoy the trip but misses her bunny. The she has a dream of Knuffle bunny and sees him helping people all around the world. This helps Trixie let go of her bunny and have a good time. On her way back home from the trip while they are in the airplaine she notices something. It's her bunny, she found it and was very happy. Trixie then heard a baby cry and gave the baby her Knuffle bunny. Everyone was suprised of this grand gesture she had done. Everyone in the plane was grateful she made the baby happy. Weeks later she received a letter, it was written froem the babies mother expressing her gratitude. This is a great story anyone will enjoy.

[lbblackwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Trixie and her parents go to Holland to visit her grandparents. When they arrive, Trixie realizes something is missing - her Knuffle Bunny. This time, he may be gone forever.The third and final episode in the Knuffle Bunny series, Knuffle Bunny Free is stylistically and structurally identical to the first two books. In typical Knuffle Bunny fashion, Mo Willems creates fantastic images that are composed of black-and-white photographs and hand-drawn illustrations. A excellent ending to the series, this book is sure to please.

[kradish-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Knuffle bunny gets out grown and passed on to a new child.

[bblender-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ever needed help trying to convince a young child that they're big enough to go on with their life without their favorite stuffed animal? Well, Knuffle Bunny Free, is the perfect book to help with this monumental step in a child's life. Knuffle Bunny, and Trixie, of course, are on their way to Holland to visit her grandma and grandpa, when Knuffle Bunny is left on the airplane. Trixie has to spend an entire week without her best friend, thinking she will never see him again. That is, until Trixie and her mom and dad board the airplane to fly home. To everyone's surprise Trixie finds Knuffle Bunny in the seat pocket on the seat in front of her! However, there is a crying baby behind her, so Trixie offers her Knuffle Bunny to the baby to make him feel better. Trixie makes the giant decision that she is old enough to take on life without her best friend.

[brettch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The last in the Knuffle Bunny series and is so sweet it makes me want to cry. The epilogue at the end is really sweet too. Trixie becomes "of age" and no longer needs her Knuffle Bunny" so she gives it away to a crying baby on a plane. I just think that this is such a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful series. Of course I wish it would have gone on for a few more books but I am glad it ended this way. What a great series!

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trixie and her beloved Knuffle Bunny toy bunny go on a trip to visit her grandparents in Holland. After a little bit of time visiting, Trixie realizes that Knuffle Bunny was left behind at the airport. Her parents and grandparents try to cheer her up in various ways and remind her how big she's getting. However, a surprise twist awaits for Trixie and Knuffle Bunny ...As with the other Knuffle Bunny titles, there's a good deal of realism and humor peppered throughout this book. In addition, this book contains a great lesson about dealing with problems and helping others. Once again, the book is illustrated with a combination of photographs overlaid with drawings. In addition to photographs of the family's Brooklyn neighborhood and the airport, there are lovely scenic photos from Holland and around the world, which are beautiful to look at and can open up conversations about geography, beautiful monuments, other cultures, etc.The kids in my kindergarten class loved, loved, loved the first Knuffle Bunny book and would ask me to read every week. When I saw this book at my local library, I knew I had to check it out for them (even if it did mean we ended up skipping over the second one, which was not available at the time). As predicted, they were thrilled to see that there was another Knuffle Bunny book and loved it right away. They asked me to read this one a number of times in the few weeks we had it in our classroom. I also had the book with me at a recent family barbeque and started reading it to my 2-year-old niece. Soon a few other kids (and some parents) wandered over as well and everyone got a good laugh - and some awws - out of Knuffle Bunny and Trixie's adventures!

[alyson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trixie is terrific! A book about a girl and her stuffed bunny but that is also the perfect book about any child growing up. A fun and happy read for kids but one that is sure to leave lots of parents a little emotional.

[bereneezypie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this series! I am kind of sad to see it go (if this is, in fact, the end). I loved the illustrations - the cartoon characters against real-life photography - and how well they complemented the story of Trixie and her KA-Nuffle Bunny!

[kimjd_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A delightful conclusion to the Knuffle Bunny saga. And especially fun after getting to see Jacqueline Woodson speak earlier this week and hearing how Trixie and her daughter are real life friends and how the Willems and the Woodsons feature each of the girls in their various books.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweet end (or new beginning?) for Knuffle Bunny.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun read for a children's book, one that included travel, grandparents, interesting illustrations, and a nice ending. I liked this book a lot!

[stefaniegeeks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Made me teary... it's so darling. 

[ergreenb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a really sweet book about a girl having to let go of her beloved stuffed animal. The illustrations were cool because the characters were hand drawn in Mo Willems' signature style, but the backgrounds were all black and white photographs. It was funny, sad, and heartwarming at different times. The end is really sweet when there is a look into the future of knuffle bunny. I would recommend this book to an elementary school kid but anyone will enjoy it.

[ashoemak · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful story about growing up and letting go of one's security blanket. Mo Willems brings "real life" to young children in an engaging way.

[irachelsweet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Characters: Trixie, her parents and grandparents, the crying baby in the plane, her babySetting: In HollandTheme: Family, growing upSummary: Trixie is visiting her Oma and Opa in Holland. When she arrives at their house, she realizes Knuffle Bunny is missing. Her dad calls the airline, but they say the plane had left for China. She is sad, but tries to cheer up and have fun with her family since now she is getting bigger. But her family, including herself, know she still misses Knuffle Bunny. So her family gives her a surprise present: A bunny doll that walks, speaks, and dances, which fails to put her in a better mood. On the flight back, she finds her Knuffle Bunny, but generously gives it up for the crying baby. The story seems to end with her receiving a thank you letter from the baby boy, who becomes her first pen pal, but it does not until she grows up, becomes a mom, and receives a package from her dad. Inside there is Knuffle Bunny, which Trixie's baby boy happily hugs, from her old pen pal.Review: It is interesting how the illustrator used real photos as a background and drew characters upon them. It creates a sense of reality. Also, children are given opportunities to vicariously travel Holland and China. The book was amazingly cute and warm fuzzy. Curriculum ties: Social studies and geography (around the globe), decision makingAward: Caldecott honor

[ymcmillion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a good book about a young girl who did not wish to grow up, but once she came to terms with the idea she was able to help out more than just herself. She was able to help a younger child get through a rough time that she was able to overcome easily.

[mdonley_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trixie and Knuffle Bunny take off on plane to visit her grandparents. But where does Knuffle Bunny end up? Now that Trixie is a little older and wiser, see what decision she makes. The final book in the Trixie trilogy.

[mfink1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is great for discussing with children how sometimes you have to let go of something you love, like a toy or stuff animal. The art in this book is phenomenal.

[coachncheern · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trixie loses Knuffle Bunny and moves through the childhood sadness of parting with a comforting toy. Trixie is elated when Knuffle Bunny is found, but shows how she has grown up without her friend around. This touching finale to the Knuffle Bunny trilogy will have parents in tears.

[missbrandysue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trixie is excited about going to Holland to see her grandparents. But after she gets to her grandparents' house she discovers she left Knuffle Bunny on the plane! She tries not to let it ruin her trip and her fun she's having with her family. Miraculously, as she's getting on the plane to go home she finds Knuffle Bunny in the same spot she left it in the plane. But the baby behind her is screaming and not liking the plane ride so she gives him Knuffle Bunny...to keep. The book ends, though, with "A Note to Trixie" where it shows photos/illustrations of her graduating and starting a family of her own. The last picture is her opening a box with Knuffle Bunny in it, with a note that says "From an old pen pal. Love, Daddy" A personal note from Mo Willems to his daughter perhaps? Very touching story about growing up and giving!I read Knuffle Bunny years ago when I was in college but have yet to see the rest of the series until now. I especially love this final book because it involves traveling, my number one hobby. The ending, where Trixie gives Knuffle Bunny to a child crying on the plane...forever is my by far my favorite part. And if that doesn't get you the continuation of Trixie's life as a mother is especially touching.

[huyen_24 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love, love, LOVE this one as well! The first one is unforgettable. The second one is ok but this final of the series is worth adding to our collection. Adorable pictures as always but more touching and sentimental as Trixie grows up; daughter loved it and wanted to see real pics of Mo Willems daughter

[brborsen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think that this book is a great story to read with younger students. It has many options for discussion topics. This book makes it easy to open a discussion about finding feelings in a story and to talk about how people feel. The illustrations are amazing and it is an all together great story.

[bkpietz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the artistic style of this book's pictures more than the actual text. I thought that the way he used real photographs then inserted his unique art into the photos was very creative, and visually appealing, and something I had never seen before. I did like how the girl in the story ended up giving Knuffle Bunny to the crying child on the airplane, which shows children as very compassionate and thoughtful.

[jpeshke_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is another great book from the knuffle bunny series. After losing and then finding Knuffle Bunny Trixie makes a bold and grown up choice to give her bunny away. This a great read aloud book about family, friendship and growing up.

[readalouddenver · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another of Mo Willems' beloved "Knuffle Bunny" series, "Knuffle Bunny Free" takes you all around the world to Holland, China, India and Mongolia. Trixie learns that she's "big enough" and ready to let go of Knuffle Bunny and decides to give her Knuffle Bunny to the crying baby sitting behind her on the plane. An extensive vocabulary builder with words like passenger, relieved, unexpected, diversion, oma, opa, strange, windmill, understood, realized, carnival and Holland.