Kidsreads.com intern Rebecca Czochor tells us about one of her favorite picture books --- A POCKET FOR CORDUROY by Don Freeman --- to celebrate Natonal Picture Book Month. Look out for more tribute posts from reviewers, authors and editors alike throughout November!
When I was going through my old picture books recently, I noticed one small, purple paperback that was well worn, like it had been read over and over and over again. When I flipped through its pages, I recognized every word and illustration as if I'd read the book yesterday. Actually, I hadn't read it in years, but A POCKET FOR CORDUROY was just as familiar and comforting to me today as it was back when I was a child.
This was one of those books I used to constantly request my parents read me at bedtime. I used to love hearing about Corduroy's adventures in the laundromat, and I loved looking at the pictures of all the different people doing their laundry. But what I most remember was desperately wanting Corduroy to find himself a pocket. It seems like such a simple plot when I read it again now; a teddy bear wearing overalls gets locked in a laundromat because he's looking for material to make a pocket. But that simple story, paired with those modern and unique illustrations, really drew me into the book as a child, and still compels me to this day.
Since this was one of my favorite books well before I learned to read, it makes sense that the illustrations are my favorite part. I never thought I would want to visit a laundromat so much, but Don Freeman makes it look like a wonderland of color and texture, with people of all shapes and sizes. From the bright yellow walls and big orange chair to the way Freeman makes Corduroy's green overalls look so much like real corduroy. I used to think I could reach out and touch them, they looked so tactile. I love flipping through these pages and watching this adorable little bear get tangled up in clothes, washing machines and laundry detergent. Such a mundane chore turned delightful with Corduroy there. I used to think laundry looked like fun!
I never thought I would want to visit a laundromat so much, but Don Freeman makes it look like a wonderland of color and texture
This is the second Corduroy book Freeman wrote, and while I loved the first one, A POCKET FOR CORDUROY somehow became my favorite of the two. I think it was the purple cover. Whatever the reason, my copy of it is so worn, it was obviously a well-loved book. Corduroy is not as popular as MADELINE or WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE or some of the other picture books on my shelf. I don't hear people talk about turning it into a movie or celebrating its anniversary, but I'll always remember it as one of the books I loved most of all.
Rebecca Czochor is an intern at Kidsreads.com and Teenreads.com
