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Corduroy

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 2; suggested age 2.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Heartwarming, humorous picture-book classic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 2 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Corduroy was written by Mary LeCompte

Parents need to know that this is a timeless story completely suited to young children. The illustrations are bold, bright, and highly appealing.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about why Corduroy is special bear. Would you have chosen him at the toy store? Do you have a toy that is very special to you?
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More on Corduroy

Book Summary

Poor Corduroy! Why won't anyone buy him? Could it be because his overalls are missing a button? Late at night the teddy bear searches the store for his button. He never finds it, but he does find a girl who loves him and gives him a home. Heartwarming and humorous, this is a picture-book classic.

Is It Any Good?

CORDUROY offers children a feel-good story line, a memorable main character, and charming illustrations. Bright, loosely drawn pictures feature scenes familiar to many children: shelves of toys, department stores, and bedrooms. The characters' facial expressions of sadness, curiosity, and joy are drawn so that even the youngest children can understand much of the story simply by looking at the pictures.

The classic book also offers the added benefit of subtle lessons in good behavior. Lisa, the kind little girl who buys and befriends Corduroy, doesn't fuss and cry in the toy department when her mother tells her that she may not buy the bear. When Lisa returns to buy Corduroy the next day, she does so with her mother's blessing and the money from her own piggy bank. Lisa looks past Corduroy's missing button and sees a friend to love.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc., Publication date: 01/01/1968
Number of pages: 32, Price: $15.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 0-4

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Great illustrations

    A timeless classic good for preschool aged kids

    I had this book as a child, and loved it. I was 7 in 1968 when it first came out and it meant a lot to me because it was the first book I owned that had a Black girl as the protagonist...someone who looked like me! As a mother, I purchased the book for my daughter who is now 26 and a mom herself. It's a good book for anyone regardless of age or race, very warmhearted and inspiring because we all at one point had a toy we fell in love with and loved despite it's alleged 'imperfections.'

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    A classic

    The Common Sense review summarizes much of the good stuff abt this book but I wanted to add one more thing - Lisa, the girl who takes Corduroy home, is not white (it looks like she's black or hispanic). It's hard to find good books with minority main characters and this one is so readily available at libraries everywhere.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Wonderful classic for all ages!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    cute...

    cute book for young children just learning to read

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

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