Parents' Guide to

Corduroy

Corduroy Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Mary LeCompte , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 2+

Sweet, heartwarming picture-book classic.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 2+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 3+

Based on 8 parent reviews

age 3+

age 4+

Gentle and cute

While there's absolutely nothing objectionable or questionable about this story, it's too verbose to be great for a 2-year old, I think. I own this book and read it to my nearly-two year old, but I've shortened the story a bit (kind of summarizing the pictures), and adding sound effects (the lamp goes CRASH!) which keep him engaged in the story. I also think that some of the concepts are better for a slightly older preschooler as I don't think a 2-yr old will grasp that when the bear claims something (like saying that the e store is "a palace"), that he is mistaken. For a 4 year old, who is much more familiar with both stores and palaces (from Disney movies?), the humor is more readily apparent. Other than that, however, the book is sweet and cute and a nice prelude to the Toy Story ideas where toys have thoughts and feelings too.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (6 ):

CORDUROY offers children a feel-good storyline, 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 and responsibility. 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.

Book Details

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