Corduroy!

      

       As an adult, I still have those favorite, of all times, childhood stories, those books, that every time I see them, I get excited! I scream and jump up and down like, "Oh my goodness, it's Corduroy! Mom look its Corduroy!" And I get that blank stare back from her, "Quala Ellis, grow up!" Lol!
     
       Corduroy is that book that gives your imagination a run, but also helps your inner child remember what it was like, and how it is about getting what you want.

       In the story, there is a stuffed bear, that I first I didn't realize was a live, whom "lives" in this department store, waiting to be bought. One day a little girl named Lisa comes along to buy him, but her mom refuses, and she has to leave Corduroy there, mainly because the mother felt he was damaged, due to his missing button. That night Corduroy went looking through the store to find a button, but was placed back on the shelf by a security guard, where the next morning he was found and bought by Lisa. When they got home, he got a new button, a new room, a new bed, a new friend, and a new home.

       Of course this story is fictional, simply because the stuffed bear can walk and talk, and the little girl can talk back to him. I like to think of it as "imaginary non fiction" because I remember as a kid, I talked to everything I owed, in my head, we had full conversations, these baby dolls and bears were my friends, so maybe that is what the author was trying to portray. Now the illustrations in this book were great, might I add, with water colors and paints and dark ink outlines, the colors all bold and vibrant, I vote that Don Freeman becomes one of those double threats in children literature! Great author, great illustrator!

       Although a children book specialist, Freeman was involved in a lot his adult life. This guy was also a jazz musician. He was entertained by Broadway shows, circuses, and politics. A few research articles said that he walked around everywhere carrying a sketchpad. I can believe it, as does my younger brother. He draws literally almost everything he sees.

       One thing that I can do to incorporate this story book into a classroom setting is maybe having children bring in "their friend." I say friend, because it may not be a bear, it may be a book, or a blanket, or a doll, but bring in that one thing that you just have to have daily, for show and tell. Also maybe an overalls day! If they cant wear them, I will provide them. Bring in some scrappy, old overalls, and we reconstruct them. Sew buttons everywhere, paint them, cut them up, everything, all week long, then Friday, its "Wear Crazy 'Alls To School Day!"

       As a child, after bring read this story...

1) Have you every had a favorite stuffed animal? What did you name it?
2) Using your imagination, how would you and your friend spend the most perfect day?
3) Why do you think children have unrealistic friends?

Freeman, Don. (1968). Corduroy. New York, New York: Viking Penguin Inc.