Freeman's classic tale of a somewhat ragged bear who longs to be loved by someone is sweet and appealing to almost anyone. I read this book to my 3 year old daughter, and she smiled when we got to the end because Corduroy finally had a home and a little girl to love him.
Personal Impressions
Being a huge stuffed animal fan for pretty much my whole life, I am a sucker for those stories that bring life to the lifeless friends that inhabit the rooms of most young children. I found this story to be a little sad but with a strong, happy ending. I think people can relate to Corduroy because he feels the same things children feel. I mean, what child wouldn't also want a home and someone to love him/her? Not to mention, it is simple to read but has this deeper underlying meaning of what it feels like to be accepted and loved. Freeman created a book 44 years prior that is still read today and considered a classic. As a kid, I remember a certain Reading Rainbow episode that featured this book. I didn't read it back then because I felt I was too old for picture books. I enjoyed getting to introduce it to my daughter a few days ago, though. She enjoyed it, too.
Re
Professional Review
Publisher's Weekly (2001) has the following to say about this book: "Fans of Don Freeman's work get a bang for their buck with Corduroy & Company: A Don Freeman Treasury. This hefty volume contains 1o previously published stories, including his first book, Chuggy and the Blue Caboose (1951), written with his wife, Lydia; Pet of the Met (1953), their second collaboration, drawing on Freeman's roots in the theater; and of course his solo effort, Corduroy (1968), starring the overalls-clad life-like toy bear. The 11th selection is the unfinished dummy and complete text of Gayelord, which Freeman was working on at the time of his death. A foreword by Leonard S. Marcus sheds light on Freeman's enduring contribution to children's literature" (Publisher's Weekly, 2001).
Library Uses
In a library, I think you could use this picture book to introduce the subject of theme. Students can listen to the book being read, hold a discussion about the author wrote the book, and key in on the overall theme being love and acceptance. The simplicity of the story makes it the perfect book to introduce theme to 2nd or 3rd graders. As a side note, theme is being introduced as early as 2nd grade at the schools in my district. Since it is such an abstract concept for younger learners, finding something simple that they can actually relate to is essential.
References
Publisher's Weekly. Corduroy and company: A Don Freeman treasury. Sept. 2001. Retrieved 9 Sept. 2012 from www.publishersweekly.com
Freeman, D. (1968). Corduroy. New York, NY: Scholastic.
No comments:
Post a Comment