A Pocket for Corduroy (Live Oak Readalong)

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Summary: More adventures with Lisa's very own bear. . .
Review: In this installment of Corduroy's adventures with Lisa, we see that some time has passed since she first brought him home from the department store. She's taller, wearing her hair a little straighter, and her mom looks like she had a makeover, too. Corduroy, however, is wearing the same green overalls he did in the first book and has managed to keep both buttons on this time. Early on in the book, however, Corduroy decides he needs a pocket, and in the search for one gets separated from Lisa and her mom while they are in the laundromat. They leave without him, setting him up for a meeting with a friendly stranger who washes his overalls for him, as well as encounters with such laundromat staples as powder detergent and pushcarts.

As in the first book, Lisa comes back for him the next day, and once again her needle and thread come to the rescue.

This book and "Corduroy" are the only two Corduroy books my daughter and I have read. I wonder if there are others, and what kind of sartorial splendor Corduroy will be arrayed in next if the trend continued!

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Summary: Corduroy continues to update his wardrobe:)
Review: In this sequel to the original "Corduroy" tale, the little furry one accompanies Lisa and her mom to do the family wash. As he overhears Lisa's mom telling her to clean out the pockets in the clothes, Corduroy realizes his overalls don't have pockets and he thinks he'd better go remedy that situation right now. The rest of the book is a "bear's eye" view of the sights, smells, and sounds of an inner-city laundromat. What I love most about the Corduroy books and characters are that they show everyday life as I wish it could be--where strangers take a moment to do kindnesses for one another, and even a little innocent fellow who needs help can find it without having to ask. The original Corduroy book was a gift to my daughter. I bought this sequel for myself as much as I did for her. Parents and kids, curl up and enjoy this together!

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Summary: Read to Your Child to Create Bonding and Intellect
Review: Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, you child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. A Pocket for Corduroy was one of her picks. Since the story is well summarized here at Amazon.com, I would like to focus on why the story is an important one to share.

First, Lisa is shown as being not such a young child. Yet she carries her teddy bear, Corduroy, with her openly. No one comments on that, shames her about it, or acts as though she is doing anything strange. Children draw great comfort from familiar objects, teddy bears, blankets, and other stuffed toys. This book endorses that connection, overcoming the stalled thinking that children must quickly become little adults.

Second, Lisa helps her Mother do the laundry as her primary focus. That shows a connectedness to her Mother and the family that is very encouraging for a child. She can make a contribution although she is a child.

Third, Lisa makes every attempt to be responsible about Corduroy. She tells Corduroy to wait in a chair and not to move. She tries to find Corduroy before leaving the laundromat, and gets her Mother to agree to come back again the next day to find him. Although she is sad, she overcomes her reluctance to be separated and leaves. This suggests that she can and should trust that everything will turn out all right. This reinforces an optimism that is good for children to develop.

Fourth, all of the adults act in responsible ways. Lisa's Mother brings her back. The artist who finds Corduroy in his laundry bag dries his clothes for him and leaves him where he can easily be found the next day. The man who works in the laundry helps Lisa and her Mother find Corduroy the next day. This encourages the idea that everyone can and will help one another. This is a good role model for children as they imagine what they should be like as adults.

Fifth, the whole misadventure relates to Corduroy feeling bereft because he does not have a pocket. So Lisa sews one for him, caring for him in a nurturing way even though he is only a teddy bear. Caring about others is a great way to feel better about oneself.

As you can see, the book is filled with optimistic, caring, considerate human values expressed through the story. You can reinforce this by discussing with your child how s/he might care for a favorite stuffed animal or blanket during an upcoming trip. This can help reduce the anxiety caused by concerns about the changes, and assist your child in being careful so the loved connection is not lost.

You and your child will feel affirmed and closer after you read and review this story together.

Overcome your stalled thinking about providing affirmations to your child with this book!