Knuffle Bunny Free

In this last in the series of stories about Knuffle Bunny and his wide-eyed owner Trixie, we see them (and Trixie’s parents) travelling from New York to Holland to visit Trixie’s grandparents Oma and Opa.  The plane journey is long, sometimes exciting and sometimes tedious, but arrival at Oma and Opa’s house is wonderful, and it is only later, sitting in the garden, that Trixie realises her beloved Knuffle Bunny is missing.  Attempts to get him back are futile, and all week, while enjoying her visit, Trixie is sad.  Oma and Opa try to help by buying her a state-of-the-art walking, talking Bunny, but it won’t do.  One night Trixie dreams of all the exciting adventures Knuffle Bunny must be having, and on the plane home, she finds him tucked into the pocket of the seat in front.  If one can believe this somewhat miraculous reunion, then one can also accept that Trixie is happy to give her special toy to the crying baby in the seat behind.  Trixie makes the decision herself, much to her parents (and our) surprise, but this ‘unexpected diversion’ as Willems has it, is tempered by a final note to Trixie where her dad hopes that one day in the future she will receive Knuffle Bunny back for her own child from the grateful mum on the plane.  In spite of the complexity of the story, I absolutely loved the illustrations.  A combination of black and white photographs, overlaid with colourful, cheerful and most expressive artwork, almost tells the story without the need for words.