A Christmas Wish For Corduroy

by B.G. Hennessy, Jody Wheeler (Illustrator), Don Freeman (Created by)

Overview

A classic holiday story about a teddy bear loved by children for 50 years.
 
It’s almost Christmas and Corduroy sits on a department store shelf, wishing he could be a child’s holiday gift—but he’s a plain bear, and nobody seems to notice him. He sets out across the store to ask Santa Claus for help, but he can’t visit without wearing a special outfit! After stopping to try on hats, boots, and even baby clothes, Corduroy finally arrives at the North Pole. Can Santa help Corduroy find a new home in time for Christmas?
 
With warm humor and classic art, A Christmas Wish for Corduroy takes readers back to the beginning and shows how Corduroy became the beloved bear we know today. This is a heartwarming story about the power of hope, perseverance, and friendship--an important addition to any Corduroy collection, and the perfect way to celebrate Corduroy's 50th anniversary.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780698156760
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/21/2014
Series:	Corduroy Series
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	67 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

B.G. Hennessy grew up in Wantagh on Long Island, NY. At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, she majored in fine art and learned how to design, print and bind handmade books. She also took courses in Children’s Literature. The combination of form and content in the picture book format fascinated her and after graduation she headed for NYC where she worked for 17 years in children’s book publishing as a designer and art director. She is the author of Road Builders and The First Night, as well as many books starring Corduroy, the loveable toy bear created by Don Freeman. She now lives with her family in Arizona.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for A Christmas Wish for Corduroy:

"A story that can stand next to the original two Corduroy tales without apology. A pleasurable and satisfying back story for the beloved bear named Corduroy. Not too long, not too hard—just right. "—Kirkus Reviews

"As they provide a lovely bit of backstory for Corduroy fans, the creators ofCorduroy Lost and Found again show their prowess at recreating Freeman’s inviting narrative and scratchboard art."—Publisher's Weekly

Editorial Reviews

09/15/2014
Based on characters created by the late Don Freeman, this prequel to 1968’s Corduroy reveals how the bear acquired his familiar green overalls and name. Sitting on a store shelf listening to children chatter about what they want for Christmas, the stuffed bear concludes that he won’t make anyone’s wish list without clothing or a name. After hours, he goes in search of the store Santa to “ask him for a little girl or boy to take me home.” The bear puts on the shop elves’ uniform—green corduroy overalls—which inspires Santa to bestow him with a name; soon after, Corduroy catches the eye of a girl, who claims him as her own. As they provide a lovely bit of backstory for Corduroy fans, the creators of Corduroy Lost and Found again show their prowess at recreating Freeman’s inviting narrative and scratchboard art. Ages 3–5. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for A Christmas Wish for Corduroy:

"A story that can stand next to the original two Corduroy tales without apology. A pleasurable and satisfying back story for the beloved bear named Corduroy. Not too long, not too hard—just right. "--Kirkus Reviews

"As they provide a lovely bit of backstory for Corduroy fans, the creators ofCorduroy Lost and Found again show their prowess at recreating Freeman’s inviting narrative and scratchboard art."--Publisher's Weekly

From the Publisher

10/01/2014
PreS-Gr 2—Sure to become another favorite, this prequel tells the story of how the character Corduroy, created by Don Freeman in the 1960s, found his green overalls and how the button on the overalls got loose. As the tale begins, the little stuffed bear has no name or clothes. Upon hearing that Santa grants Christmas wishes and that one should wear something special when they meet the famous man in red, the little bear goes on his first journey to meet Santa and finds the perfect outfit for the occasion. Readers will have an "A-ha" moment when the little bear finds his outfit as well as when Santa first calls him "Corduroy." Wheeler works her magic in the illustrations, bringing the adorable bear to life. A charming addition to the "Corduroy" series (Viking) and holiday collections.—Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

2014-08-12
A prequel to the beloved classics Corduroy (1968) and A Pocket for Corduroy (1978), this story tells how Corduroy found his green overalls (and his name). When the story opens, Corduroy is just a brown teddy bear on a department-store shelf, sitting next to a stuffed rabbit and a doll. He's waiting to be chosen as a child's desired Christmas gift. The bear hears customers talking about visiting Santa and wearing special outfits, and he notices the other toys are requested by name. The bear searches for clothing in the store, finally finding a small pair of green corduroy overalls in the Santa display section. He falls asleep on Santa's chair, and it's Santa himself who gives him the name of Corduroy, suggested by his overalls. The story ends with Lisa's familiar dialogue: "Look! There's the very bear I've always wanted!" The story's language and pacing match the tone of the original story, and the illustrations are a close match to Freeman's original work. Purists may object to extending the franchise, but this is a story that can stand next to the original two Corduroy tales without apology. A pleasurable and satisfying back story for the beloved bear named Corduroy. Not too long, not too hard—just right. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews