Corduroy Takes a Bow
Corduroy Takes a Bow
Corduroy the teddy bear visits a theater for the first time and ends up on stage. Written by Viola Davis, illustrated by Jody Wheeler.
Read Aloud for Your Family
Press play, gather the kids, and let the story do the work.
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ABOUT THE CREATORS
About the Author and Illustrator
AUTHOR
Viola Davis
Academy Award-winning actress and producer; Corduroy Takes a Bow was her first picture book.
ILLUSTRATOR
Jody Wheeler
Illustrator of Corduroy Takes a Bow in the classic scratchboard style of Don Freeman.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis is an Academy Award-winning actress and producer. Corduroy Takes a Bow was her first picture book, written for the 50th anniversary of Don Freeman’s original Corduroy. She later narrated the audio version of the book.
Illustrator
Jody Wheeler
Jody Wheeler illustrated Corduroy Takes a Bow in the scratchboard style that Don Freeman used for the original Corduroy books. The art keeps the classic look while putting Corduroy in a new setting.
Who This Book Is For
This is a good pick for families with kids who already love the original Corduroy or who are about to see their first play. It fits well in a theater-themed reading list, alongside other books about music and performance. Kids who love plush toys with personalities will like Corduroy here. Parents who grew up with the 1968 original will like the way the new book honors the source material.
It is less of a fit for kids who want a high-stakes plot. The story is small on purpose, much like the original. The reader who gets the most out of it is the one who slows down and notices the details in the dressing rooms and the orchestra pit.
What Happens in the Book
The story starts with Lisa and Corduroy arriving at a theater for the very first time. The lobby, the chandelier, the rows of seats, the orchestra pit. The place is alive and Corduroy is wide-eyed about all of it. The lights dim, the curtain rises, and Corduroy cannot stay still.
While Lisa is watching the show, Corduroy slips out of the row and heads backstage. He visits the orchestra pit, where he sits on the conductor’s stand and waves the baton. He wanders to the prop table, where hats and capes catch his eye. He finds his way to the dressing rooms, where actors are getting ready. The turn comes at the curtain call, when Corduroy is back in his seat. He stands up and takes a bow. The audience claps. It is a small moment but it lands.
Corduroy takes center stage in a classically illustrated theater adventure.
Who This Book Is For
This is a good pick for families with kids who already love the original Corduroy or who are about to see their first play. It fits well in a theater-themed reading list, alongside other books about music and performance. Kids who love plush toys with personalities will like Corduroy here. Parents who grew up with the 1968 original will like the way the new book honors the source material.
It is less of a fit for kids who want a high-stakes plot. The story is small on purpose, much like the original. The reader who gets the most out of it is the one who slows down and notices the details in the dressing rooms and the orchestra pit.
Why It Works for Kids
The book reads in about five minutes at a normal pace, which makes it a natural choice before or after a kid’s first live theater experience. The pacing of the spreads roughly matches the pacing of a stage show, so it lands well as a pre-show primer. Kids who already love the original Corduroy will recognize the visual language immediately.
It also opens up a useful conversation about what happens backstage. After we read it, my six year old wanted to know what the actors did before the curtain rose. That is the kind of prompt this book invites. It treats the magic of theater with the same gentleness a picture book usually reserves for a backyard rabbit.
The pacing of the spreads roughly matches the pacing of a stage show, so it lands well as a pre-show primer. — Corduroy Takes a Bow
Learn More About This Book
Official & Community
- Publisher page (Penguin Random House)
- Reviews on Goodreads
- About Viola Davis (Wikipedia)
- About the original Corduroy (Wikipedia)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Corduroy Takes a Bow about?
Corduroy Takes a Bow is a picture book about Corduroy the teddy bear visiting a theater with Lisa for the very first time. He explores the orchestra pit, the prop table, and the dressing rooms before settling back into his seat for the show.
Who wrote Corduroy Takes a Bow?
Viola Davis wrote Corduroy Takes a Bow, with illustrations by Jody Wheeler. It was published by Viking Books for Young Readers on September 4, 2018, and was later narrated by Viola Davis as an audiobook.
What age is Corduroy Takes a Bow for?
The publisher recommends Corduroy Takes a Bow for ages 3 to 5. The text is short enough for preschool listeners, and the behind-the-scenes peek at a theater sparks conversations for early elementary readers.
Is Corduroy Takes a Bow good for a read aloud?
Yes. The story reads in about 5 minutes and is a natural choice for kids who love the original Corduroy by Don Freeman or who are about to see their first play.
Who is Viola Davis?
Viola Davis is an Academy Award-winning American actress known for Fences and The Help. Corduroy Takes a Bow was her first picture book, written for the 50th anniversary of Don Freeman’s original Corduroy.
