Customer Reviews

Corduroy (40th Anniversary Edition)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this for my son, but I'm going to get another copy that ISN'T the anniversary addition. This version contains eight pages of information about the earlier version of the book, letters between the author and publisher, etc. This sort of stuff is more for those of us who remember the book from our childhoods than it is for the kids themselves.

Curiously, the first four pages of my copy of the book are bound in upside-down. Does anyone else have this in theirs? I might have a real collector's item indeed...

As for the story itself, it's a five-star kid's story. Wonderful. But if you are buying it for your kids, I'd get the other version.

Corduroy is a stuffed bear who lives on the shelf of a department store. One day a girl named Lisa spies him and exclaims over him, but her mother points out that he is missing a button from his overalls, and the two depart without buying him. That night, while the store is quiet, Corduroy explores the store in search of his button. He is unsuccessful and is returned to his shelf by a security guard; but in the morning the little girl returns, having ransacked her piggy bank, and carries him home in her arms. There she sews a new button on him and settles him into her home.

There are several elements of this charming story that have made it popular for decades. Corduroy has a flaw that he cannot repair by himself -- his missing button. This produces in him a helplessness and dependence on others that children, who understand their own dependence on adults, will respond to with empathy.

Additionally, Corduroy takes his circumstances for granted until the prospect of a change comes along; this provokes him to try to better himself. As he explores the store, his horizons are broadened: "I think I've always wanted to climb a mountain," he says as he goes up the escalator; "I guess I've always wanted to live in a palace," as he enters the furniture department. It is only on arriving at Lisa's home that he realizes what he really needs is a home and a friend -- two things young children intuitively know they need as well.

A final touch is that Lisa's family is not a wealthy one: Lisa's mother cannot buy the bear because she has "spent too much already," and Lisa and her parents live in a fourth-floor apartment rather than a large house. But the little home is a secure one, filled with warm touches and supplied with the tools needed to replace Corduroy's button. This is far better than the cold "palace" in which Lisa found him. Corduroy's homecoming is to a place of humble, nurturing love.

The story is told in an understated, sweet way, and endearingly illustrated. For those children who regard their favorite toys as friends, it may have a special appeal.

There are a number of sequels and other products that have grown out of the original book's popularity, but the quality of the sequels I have read is pretty mediocre. I recommend only the original story.

We received this book as a gift when my daughter was 9 months old. She's now 2-1/2 and although she still doesn't fully understand every element, she has grown increasingly aware of the emotion in the story and really loves me to read it. She also said "This is the biggest book I have ever seen!" when we take it out, which is fun.

I love this book but it takes a lot to get my almost 2 year old to sit down throughout the whole thing.

I purchased this book for my sister's baby shower, and I was very happy with it. I gave it in replacement of a card, and I am very excited that my niece will get as much joy out of reading/ being read corduroy as I did as a child.

Can you believe the Corduroy series of books are celebrating their 40th anniversary? Too awesome!

My 32 year old son grew up with Corduroy books and he loved them. So now that I am babysitting daily, my 2 1/2 month old grandson, I wanted to add the Corduroy books to his library.

As always, the books are great both for their stories and illustrations. When I read the books to my grandson because of the great colors he already watches as I turn from page to page.

A classic book, that will always remain to be classic!

I highly recommend the Corduroy series of books for older sons to read to their sons!

Really cute book, I had it when I was a little girl and now my daughter has it and she's so hooked on it that we have to read it to her 5 times every night before bed

LOVED this product. The special features for the anniversary edition were delightful. Came in a timely manor and in good condition.

I have some memories of reading this book as a child, which makes it even more special when I read it to my twins. I received Corduroy by Don Freeman as a gift when my boy/girl twins were about 6 months old. Almost one year later, it is still one of our favorites, and I think it will be enjoyable for all of us for years to come.

When I was a little girl, and my father would take me to the local public library to pick out a book to read, I always picked Corduroy Bear.
My father would always in effect say, "you pick this book all of the time; is there anything else you want to read?"

My answer was no. As an adult I purchased this book, not only because I loved it so much as child, but because of the fond memories of holding my father's hand as we would up the local public library's steps. My father was special and I miss him. He worked two jobs, but was never too tired to spend quality time with me.

When Corduroy Bear was not available, I would pick out a Jack Ezra Keats book (e.g., Hi, Cat, Peter's Chair, The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie etc.)