Knuffle Bunny Sculpture Unveiled in Brooklyn

The beloved Mo Willems character is captured in bronze at the Park Slope Public Library in New York City.

Children's literature fans can add a new kid lit character sculpture to their list of places to visit.

Along with the book-inspired statues such as the Make Way for Ducklings Mallard family in Boston, Ramona, Henry, and Ribsy in Portland, and Harry the Dirty Dog in Sheboygan, WI, fans can now plan a road trip to visit Mo Willems's famed Knuffle Bunny in the Park Slope Library Storytelling Garden at the Brooklyn (NY) Public Library branch.

All photos by Gregg Richards

Willems—whose Caldecott-winning Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale was set in the New York City neighborhood—came to the unveiling on June 27 and read his beloved book to a group of fans before uncovering the sculpture that he designed and Chad Rimer created.

“When Mo pulled the cord that removed the cloth covering the sculpture, children immediately began swarming around to touch and hug this beloved bunny," said Judy Zuckerman, director of youth and family services at Brooklyn Public Library. "It’s wonderful that Knuffle Bunny is now a permanent neighborhood resident.

After visiting the sculpture, fans can follow in the footsteps of toddler Trixie and Knuffle Bunny to the neighborhood laundromat that is still in business four blocks from the library.

Anyone planning a themed summer road trip should know that Knuffle Bunny—and the Mallards, Ramona, and Harry—are just a few of the many children's literature statues throughout the country.

See more from the special day in Brooklyn: