Corduroy by Don Freeman 🟌🟌🟌🟌

The book “Corduroy” needs a makeover. As a child I really enjoyed this book, but it does show its age. Corduroy is a stuffed bear that lives in a department store, but nobody wants to take him home. When he finds out that he is missing a button on his overalls he decides to search for his missing button in the big store. After a few adventures Corduroy gets caught by the night watchman and is returned to the shelf. Eventually a young girl comes back to the store to buy him and take him home. Once he arrives at her apartment he says, “I know I’ve always wanted a home!”.

As, I read “Corduroy” to my granddaughter she did listen to the story but when I asked her questions about the book it was hard to get her engaged. The plot was simple and the characters where lovable, but humor was lacking. The language in the book is dated. I had to explain what a department store is, how mattresses use to have buttons on them and how everybody in the 60’s had floor lamps in their homes.

If you read this book as a child, it is worth the re-read to go down memory lane. The message of finding a friend and home, even if you are a bit damaged is a good one. All the Nana’s will enjoy reading this book more than the grandchildren will like listening to it.

Fun Activity: If your child is old enough try sewing a button onto a piece of cloth, if not take a bag of buttons and sort by color and/or size. 

Written By: Don Freeman
Published In: 1968
Publisher: Puffin Books
Age Level: 4-7 years old
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 28
Stars: 4