Corduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968, and in the fifty years since, his adventures have never stopped.
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he’s the bear for her. Her mother, though, thinks he’s a little shopworn—he’s even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a nighttime adventure through the department store, searching for a new button!
Celebrate 50 years of this irresistible childhood classic, a heartwarming story about a little bear and a little girl finding the friend they have always wanted in each other.
NOMINEE Indies Choice Award
Corduroy has donated more than three million dollars to a charity helping children with severe illnesses, disabilities, or traumas.
Corduroy hosted Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign, which raised more than $1.5 million for early education programs. Two million children and adults read the book on the same day.
Corduroy was one of the first books inducted into the Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame.
The New York Public Library named Corduroy one of the 100 Great Children's Books from the Last 100 Years.
The National Education Association named Corduroy one of theTeachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.
School Library Journal named Corduroy one of the Top 100 Picture Books for the 21st Century.
Corduroy’s creator, Don Freeman, received the Kerlan Award in recognition of his singular attainments in the creation of children's literature.
Close to 20 million copies of the Corduroy books have sold in the United States and around the world.
Don Freeman (1908–1978) was the author and illustrator of many popular books for children, including Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and the Caldecott Honor Book Fly High, Fly Low.
During his career as an artist, sketching impressions of Broadway shows for the New York Times and The Herald Tribune, he was introduced to the world of children’s literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. Soon after, he began to write and illustrate his own books, a career he settled into comfortably and happily. Through his writing, he was able to create his own theater: "I love the flow of turning the pages, the suspense of what's next. Ideas just come at me and after me. It's all so natural. I work all the time, long into the night, and it's such a pleasure. I don't know when the time ends. I've never been happier in my life!"
He created many beloved characters in his lifetime, perhaps the most beloved among them a stuffed, overall-wearing bear named Corduroy.
View titles by Don Freeman
Corduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968, and in the fifty years since, his adventures have never stopped.
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he’s the bear for her. Her mother, though, thinks he’s a little shopworn—he’s even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a nighttime adventure through the department store, searching for a new button!
Celebrate 50 years of this irresistible childhood classic, a heartwarming story about a little bear and a little girl finding the friend they have always wanted in each other.
Awards
NOMINEE Indies Choice Award
Praise
Corduroy has donated more than three million dollars to a charity helping children with severe illnesses, disabilities, or traumas.
Corduroy hosted Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign, which raised more than $1.5 million for early education programs. Two million children and adults read the book on the same day.
Corduroy was one of the first books inducted into the Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame.
The New York Public Library named Corduroy one of the 100 Great Children's Books from the Last 100 Years.
The National Education Association named Corduroy one of theTeachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.
School Library Journal named Corduroy one of the Top 100 Picture Books for the 21st Century.
Corduroy’s creator, Don Freeman, received the Kerlan Award in recognition of his singular attainments in the creation of children's literature.
Close to 20 million copies of the Corduroy books have sold in the United States and around the world.
Don Freeman (1908–1978) was the author and illustrator of many popular books for children, including Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and the Caldecott Honor Book Fly High, Fly Low.
During his career as an artist, sketching impressions of Broadway shows for the New York Times and The Herald Tribune, he was introduced to the world of children’s literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. Soon after, he began to write and illustrate his own books, a career he settled into comfortably and happily. Through his writing, he was able to create his own theater: "I love the flow of turning the pages, the suspense of what's next. Ideas just come at me and after me. It's all so natural. I work all the time, long into the night, and it's such a pleasure. I don't know when the time ends. I've never been happier in my life!"
He created many beloved characters in his lifetime, perhaps the most beloved among them a stuffed, overall-wearing bear named Corduroy.
View titles by Don Freeman