Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion

The final story in author and illustrator Mo Willems' trilogy (see reviews of Knuffle Bunny in VL-3/07 and Knuffle Bunny Too in VL-3/10), this adaptation of the 2010 picture book, backed by the music of Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds, features the voices of Willems, wife Cher, and young daughter Trixie in roles based on themselves. Off on a family adventure to visit Oma and Opa in Holland, Trixie takes her titular beloved toy in a taxi to the airport, on the plane, and on a train to meet the grandfolks…until she notices that Knuffle Bunny is gone! While the adults attempt to distract Trixie with excursions to the park and a carnival (and even try to substitute with a flashy replacement), the girl comes to the realization that perhaps the lost Knuffle Bunny is making other children happy, and that she's old enough to move on. DVD extras include a read-along option and an interview with Willems. A winning end to a popular series, this is recommended. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams-Wood)