About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice differences between themselves and others, or when they are eager to take on 'big kid' responsibilities. In this follow up to the original classic, Corduroy the bear visits a laundromat and realizes he is missing a very important feature: a pocket. His quest to find one leads to a gentle nighttime adventure where he explores the shop's machines and soap flakes, which he mistakes for snow. This story beautifully addresses the desire to belong and the initiative it takes to solve one's own problems. It is a comforting, low stakes adventure that validates a child's curiosity about the adult world while reinforcing the security of being loved exactly as you are.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler who has a favorite 'lovey' and is starting to ask questions about why things are the way they are, or a child who enjoys stories about small characters in a big, magical-feeling world.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. Parents may want to be ready to explain what a laundromat is if the child has only ever seen a washing machine at home. A child expressing that they feel they are missing something that everyone else has, or a child who tends to wander off when their curiosity is piqued.
Age Experience
For a 3-year-old, the thrill is in Corduroy's 'snow' adventure and the fear of him being left behind. A 6-year-old will better appreciate Corduroy’s goal-oriented adventure and Lisa’s thoughtful response to his needs.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'lost toy' stories that focus on the peril of being lost, Freeman focuses on the bear's agency and his imaginative interpretation of a mundane urban environment.
Read plot summary
Lisa takes her teddy bear, Corduroy, to the laundromat. While there, Corduroy overhears a conversation about pockets and realizes he doesn't have one. He wanders off to explore the shop, getting lost among the laundry bags and mistaking soap powder for snow. After a night spent alone in the laundromat, he is rescued by Lisa, who not only brings him home but also sews him his very own pocket.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Corduroy thought the soap flakes were snow. Have you ever seen something for the first time and thought it was something else?
2
Why was a pocket so important to Corduroy? What would you keep in a pocket if you were a bear?
3
Lisa came back for Corduroy as soon as she could. How do you think she felt when she realized he was missing?
4
At the end, Lisa sews a pocket for Corduroy. What is something kind you have done to help a friend feel better?
