Corduroy: A Revisit of Childhood Lessons

Written By: Samantha Orellana

Photograph taken by Luwadlin Bosman

Recently, I went out with my friend, and ended up at Target. We were only there for a few things, but like any average reader, we found ourselves in the book aisles. To no surprise, in deciding to pursue a focus on children’s literature, I have become more interested in the children’s section. As I was perusing the many books on display, I found one that had always held a special place in my heart.

Corduroy by Don Freeman, written in 1986, details the journey of a toy bear, Corduroy, who goes searching for the missing button on his overalls so someone would take him home. He wanders through the department store looking for his button and discovers many new and grand things. Ultimately, Corduroy gets caught by the security guard before he finds his button and is sent back to the toy section. When he wakes up, he discovers that a little girl he had seen earlier saved her allowance to take him home and loves him just as he is.

It was my favorite book growing up and was arguably the most memorable part of my large collection. Something compelled me to buy the book despite my friend’s laughter at such a childish book. When I got home, I put the book on the window ledge next to my bed–an unusual place for me to leave books. No matter where I lived, I always took great pride in my collection and dedicated shelves for it. 

By leaving Corduroy somewhere else, somewhere closer to me, I felt as if I was subconsciously persuading myself to read it again. So, I did. At 18 years old, I reread what was once my favorite book.

It was the best book I had read all month. When I closed Corduroy, I realized the book– in just 11 pages—had taught me a lesson on self-love and true friendship. Corduroy embarks on his journey believing no one takes him home because of his missing button after a parent dismisses him by saying, “Besides, he doesn’t look new. He’s lost the button to one of his shoulder straps.” Throughout the journey, he thinks he wants something, or guesses he might want something, yet he remains unsure of what he truly wants.

At the end of his journey, Corduroy is bought by a little girl, Lily. Once in her bedroom, he notes that it’s much smaller than the “palace” in the department store, yet he recognizes it as a home. And in turn, he realizes that what he has always wanted was a home. Lily tells Corduroy that she likes him just the way he is, but that he would be more comfortable with his shoulder strap fastened. In two lines of dialogue, Lily taught me that a true friend likes you for who you really are and helps you become a better version of yourself.

I realized that when I was younger, I could not put into words just how much Corduroy made me feel. However, I knew in my heart that I felt the lessons it taught me, even if I could not express them. Lessons that helped shape me into the person I am today.

So, for every parent or person who wants to have kids, I want you to remember one important thing: reading is crucial to a child’s not just mental, but emotional development.