Review: Corduroy by Don Freeman

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Corduroy by Don Freeman is a warm and simple picture book that tells a story about belonging, loneliness, and the idea that everyone deserves to be chosen and cared for.

The story follows a small teddy bear named Corduroy who sits on a department store shelf waiting to be bought. At first, he doesn’t really understand why no one picks him. He notices that he is missing a button on his overalls, and he begins to believe that this is the reason people keep walking past him. That small detail becomes surprisingly meaningful, because it reflects how easy it is to think something “missing” makes you less worthy of attention.

One day, a little girl named Lisa sees Corduroy and immediately likes him, even with his missing button. She wants to take him home, but her mother notices the button and decides they cannot buy him. That moment could have easily ended the story, but instead it leads to Corduroy’s quiet nighttime adventure through the store, where he sets out to find a replacement button on his own.

This part of the book is where things become especially charming. Corduroy wanders through the department store at night, seeing it in a completely different way than during the day. Everything feels larger, quieter, and a little mysterious. He explores furniture, escalators, and empty spaces with a mix of curiosity and determination, all focused on one simple goal: fixing what he thinks is stopping him from being chosen.

What makes the story so effective is how it gently shows that Corduroy’s problem isn’t really the missing button at all. Lisa already likes him exactly as he is. The real issue is Corduroy’s belief that he has to be “fixed” before he can be loved. That idea is handled in a very soft, approachable way that fits perfectly with a children’s book.

Lisa’s return for Corduroy at the end brings everything together in a satisfying way. She saves up her money, comes back for him, and takes him home no matter what. Later, she even sews a new button onto his overalls, but by then it’s clear that the button isn’t what made him lovable—it’s just a small detail in a much bigger bond.

The illustrations by Don Freeman add a lot to the mood of the book. The department store feels cozy and lived-in rather than cold or empty, and Corduroy’s expressions make his emotions very easy to read. That visual storytelling helps the book feel especially warm and accessible.

At its heart, Corduroy is about acceptance and connection. It shows a character who thinks he needs to change in order to be loved, only to discover that he was already worthy of love from the very beginning. The story keeps things simple, but the message is lasting and easy to understand.

Overall, Corduroy by Don Freeman is a gentle, heartfelt picture book that turns a small teddy bear’s search for a button into a story about belonging, kindness, and being loved as you are.

READ IT NOW!!